Attachment-Based Therapy Explained: How It Helps Adults, Children and Families in Cambridge

When people seek therapy in Cambridge, they often do so because something feels disconnected — within themselves, in relationships, or in how they respond to the world around them. One powerful approach to understanding these patterns is attachment-based therapy.

But what exactly is attachment-based therapy? And how can it help adults, children, and families feel more secure, connected, and emotionally well?

Let’s explore how this approach works, who it’s for, and how it compares to other therapies.

What Is Attachment-Based Therapy?

Attachment-based therapy is grounded in the idea that our earliest relationships — usually with caregivers — shape how we view ourselves, relate to others, and regulate our emotions. When those early bonds are inconsistent, interrupted, or overwhelming, it can affect us long into adulthood.

In therapy, we explore how those early experiences may still echo in your current relationships, sense of safety, and emotional resilience. The process supports clients in forming more secure patterns of connection — both with themselves and others.

How Attachment Therapy Helps Children

For children, emotional difficulties often show up through behaviours rather than words. You might see:

• Anxiety, withdrawal, or aggression

• Difficulty forming friendships

• Trouble separating from parents

• Emotional outbursts with no clear cause

Attachment-based therapy helps children build trust, develop emotional vocabulary, and create new relational experiences that support healthy development.

Many parents searching for "child behaviour specialist near me" are actually seeking help with underlying attachment patterns — often without knowing it.

Attachment Therapy for Teenagers

The teenage years are a time of big transitions — emotionally, socially, and physically. Teens may:

• Pull away from caregivers

• Struggle with identity and self-worth

• Act out or shut down emotionally

Attachment therapy for teens offers a safe, non-judgemental space to explore relationships, gain insight into emotions, and build tools for self-regulation. As a teen therapist in Cambridge, I work collaboratively with both teens and their parents to foster stronger, more resilient bonds.

How It Supports Adults

In adulthood, attachment-related struggles might look like:

• Fear of abandonment or rejection

• Difficulty trusting others

• Anxiety in relationships

• Feeling emotionally disconnected

Whether you’ve experienced past trauma or simply want to understand recurring patterns, attachment-based therapy can offer meaningful insight. It helps adults re-pattern old emotional responses, develop self-compassion, and learn new ways of relating.

How Attachment Therapy Compares to Other Approaches

Many people ask whether attachment-based therapy is the right choice — especially when other approaches like CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) or psychodynamic therapy are well known.

Approach	Focus	Attachment-Based Therapy
CBT	Thoughts + Behaviours	Focuses on changing distorted thinking and behaviour patterns; often short-term
Psychodynamic Therapy	Unconscious Patterns	Explores unconscious dynamics, often through free association and past experiences
Attachment Therapy	Relational Patterns	Focuses on how early relationships affect current connections, trust, and emotional regulation

Attachment-based therapy is especially effective for individuals who feel stuck in relational patterns — in parenting, partnerships, or within themselves. It’s ideal when the question isn’t just "How do I stop thinking this?" but rather, "Where does this feeling of disconnection or fear come from?"

My Qualifications

As a qualified therapist trained in attachment theory, mentalization, and mindful self-compassion, I specialise in working with:

• Adults with anxiety, trauma, or relationship challenges

• Children and teenagers facing emotional and behavioural difficulties

• Parents who want support navigating their child’s development

• Families rebuilding security and trust

I am fully registered with professional bodies including the BACP, and hold certifications in evidence-based approaches tailored to children, families, and adults. See my section about me and my background

Frequently Asked Questions

What issues can attachment therapy help with?Attachment therapy is especially effective for anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, identity difficulties, and emotional dysregulation — in both children and adults.

• Can it help children who don’t talk about their feelings? Yes. Many children express emotional distress through behaviour, not words. Attachment-based work helps build emotional safety, trust, and connection.

• How is it different from CBT? While CBT targets thoughts and behaviours, attachment therapy looks at underlying emotional and relational patterns. It often works more deeply but can take more time.

• Do I need to have a diagnosed problem to begin? Not at all. Many people begin therapy simply feeling stuck, anxious, or out of sync in relationships — that’s more than enough reason to reach out.

Getting Started with Attachment Therapy in Cambridge

If you're looking for an attachment-based therapist in Cambridge, feel free to get in touch to discuss how we might work together. Whether you're an adult, a parent, or seeking support for your teenager or child, therapy can offer a space to grow, repair, and connect more deeply. Reach out to me to book a session to start your journey.