The ACT Counselling Services team are currently travelling around Scotland delivering a 1 day training event on John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory and Lifelong Relationships. We are also very fortunate to have an extremely talented Neuroscientist contributing to some of the inputs. Most of our knowledge in relation to Attachment Theory comes directly from John Bowlby’s Son – Richard Bowlby, who members of the ACT team were fortunate to be taught by. These events have been enormously well received and requests to deliver these events have been flooding in.

When writing and delivering the events, as well as in subsequent discussions we never cease to be amazed that the first 2-3 years of one’s life will shape how one thinks, feels and behaves in relationships with others throughout the life cycle. The very brief introduction to Attachment Theory offered below does not even begin to do the theory justice, so if it peaks your interest then, by all means get in touch and we will be happy to advise you of times and places where future deliveries of the 1-day event will take place.

What is Attachment Theory

Basically it is an evolutionary and instinctual necessity for Human Beings to endeavour to form Secure Attachment Styles with significant caregivers. This is a basic aid to human survival. The human brain in 2016 is exactly the same as it was in archaic times (over 50,000 years ago). Our brains (when we are infants) do not realise that it is 2016 and most people in the western world live in comfortable and safe environments. Our brains respond as if we still live in the wild, amongst the animals and if an infant is not close to a larger, older and protective caregiver then one might be eaten for want of a better word.

Forming a secure attachment

As such, infants engage in what is called ‘Attachment Behaviour’ in an attempt to keep the primary caregiver close by and to form a ‘Secure Attachment.’ Babies are born ready and know exactly what to do in order to form a secure attachment and as a result, feel safe. How the primary caregivers respond will actually determine whether a secure or insecure attachment style is formed.

What attachment behaviour involves

Attachment Behaviour involves the child crying when separated from the primary caregiver. This is the child’s insurance policy as it is a very difficult (almost impossible) cry to ignore. Attachment behaviour also involves remaining close to the primary caregiver and quickly returning to their clutch when feeling threatened. When the child is confident that it’s needs are being met then a secure base is established from which the child can begin to explore the world, safe in the knowledge that the consistent and loving primary caregivers will be present and available on return.

Do you want to know more?

If you want to find more about attachment theory, a lot more about yourself and more importantly how to improve the quality of life of yourself or others then simply get in touch using one of the various methods available on this site. You can call ACT counselling and CBT services in Glasgow on 0141 554 0838 or email us here.

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