I’m deeply engaged in studying the Adult Attachment Interview (modified version) and am part of a biweekly supervision group to study and score interviews. It’s a fascinating learning process!
The structured interviews are designed to access unconscious material. They take about an hour and then I transcribe and carefully score them. I am then able to give a client a clear impression of their attachment style. This plus the information gathered then informs our work together, helping clients move towards earned security.
Clients so far have found the results to be very illuminating and helpful. Sometimes the results are not what they expect, sometimes they are, but the interview reveals a lot of details that give evidence and really help the client see to their style and history clearly.
One clients’ experience with an Adult Attachment Interview and follow-up therapy:
I was curious about attachment theory, its having a moment in the culture and it seemed like something that could help me understand my ways.The interview itself felt comfortable, the questions weren’t complicated but they really made me think, and in therapy sessions afterwards, I discovered blind spots that i had never considered.During the interview I was really surprised at how many questions I couldn’t answer with certainty because I simply had no recollection of big chunks of my childhood.I had a suspicion that I have an avoidant attachment style, and that turns out to be true. Learning about the things that can cause avoidant attachment, and the typical behaviour of avoidant people, I felt kind of relieved… if I am a loaf of bread, I turned out exactly as the ingredients and recipe suggested I would… but I’m not a done deal!As I learn more about identifying the roots of my reactions to the world, I’m able to assess them and figure out if what I’m feeling is based on current truth or old wounds.All of my close relationships have benefited from what I’ve learned about my attachment style. Because I understand myself better and I can respond first to myself and then to my loved ones thoughtfully, rather than from a place of impulse or habit.Aspects of my personality that I had assumed were innate and inextricable (feeling ashamed and embarrassed by vulnerable feelings, for example) are actually quite willing to be remodeled. I mean… we can change. How amazing!
Here is a helpful infographic and worksheet that I’ve been sharing with clients lately on the topic. Where do you think you fall in terms of attachment style?
If you are interested in the process get in touch!
