Early Trauma and Relationship: Working with Trauma in Couples Therapy

When early attachment is disturbed or interrrupted by dysfunctional behavior on part of the parents (phsysical or sexual abuse, abandonment, continuous family stress) or severe illnesses, loss of loved ones, by poverty, war etc., the child develops avoidant, ambivalent or other inadequate attachment behavior. Basic trust, a stable feeling self worth and healthy patterns of attachment cannot develop under such conditions. Especially key issues from childhood are frequently projected onto our present relationships.

In my sessions with couples I combine knowledge of several methods especially from trauma treatment and recent results of research on infantile and adult attachment. This helps to raise consciousness of repressed experiences and empowers the clients to change their early patterns in relationships and to start living satisfying relationhips.