INTEGRATED ATTACHMENT THEORY (IAT)

IAT acknowledges 4 attachment styles. These are: The Secure and the 3 Insecure attachment styles – Anxious Preoccupied, Dismissive Avoidant and Fearful Avoidant (also known also as Disorganized). 

Integrated Attachment Theory is the overlap of traditional attachment theory with the identification of patterns of:
- Core wounds
- Needs and expectations in relationships
- Emotional reactions
- Relationship to Boundaries
- Communication
- Behavioral coping mechanisms

The focus of IAT is to create transformation in clients in a results-oriented manner by:

Identifying & reprogramming Core Wounds and fears (IFS would call these the burdens the wounded children in us carry)
Understanding one’s own Needs & Expectations within a relationship.
Identifying appropriate tools for Emotional Pattern regulation
Sharing & Creating Strategies for Healthier Behavioral Coping Mechanisms & Boundaries
Supporting Healthier Forms of Communication

The IAT model helps to more rapidly identify the patterns we play out in our relationship and the patterns others play out. It helps to alleviate shame around our unhelpful behaviours as we can see they are common to those with our attachment style and are caused by incomplete attachment development in our early years of life (something that was out of our control).
It offers practical take home tools that support the integration of work done during sessions and complements the way IFS works with parts.