Attachment

There has never been a better time to learn about attachment! The astonishing leaps in brain research plus the wider and invaluable sharing of the voices of adoptees, foster care alumni, and the parents who care for them is enlightening us all. The underlying good news: while attachments get disrupted by trauma, neglect, grief and loss, brains can still recover and heal. Please reference our Couples & Caregiving, Early Childhood, Grief and Loss, Parent Care, Single Parenting and Trauma pages for more resources.

Untangle some important attachment principles in this playful ORPARC Short Supports video below! View the entire Short Supports collection here including en español.

"...we flourish most when we are in safe proximity with each other." ~Dr. Bonnie Badenoch

Websites

Association for Training on Trauma and Attachment in Children (ATTACh)
Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN)
Child Welfare Information Gateway (CWIG)
Circle of Security & Circle of Security Network
Deborah D. Gray, Nurturing Attachments - author in ORPARC's library
Heather T. Forbes, Beyond Consequences Institute - author in ORPARC's library
Jessica Sinarski, including Brave Brains and Riley the Brave - author in ORPARC's library
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Families Rising- formerly the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)
Robyn Gobbel - author in ORPARC's library
Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI^®)
- visit ORPARC's TBRI® Resource page and TBRI® library materials

Recommended Books & Articles

Attachment & Bonding-related Materials in ORPARC's library and DIGITAL library, including Attachment Information Packet, developed by ORPARC

10 Things Our Kids Need to Hear by Creating a Family
Adoption & Attachment: Forming a Secure Bond by The Attachment Project
Affirming the Reality of the Hurt Adoptee by Dr. Gregory Keck
Attachment Series by Robyn Gobbel (blog + podcasts)
- The Basics of Attachment - Part I
- How Secure Attachment Develops - Part II
- Insecure Anxious Attachment - Part III
- Insecure Avoidant Attachment - Part IV
- The Tragedy of Disorganized Attachment - Part V
- How Attachment Changes - Part VI
Heather T. Forbes, Beyond Consequences Institute - author in ORPARC's library
- “Attachment and Adoption”
- “Reactive Attachment Disorder: A New Understanding”
“Bonding and Attachment in Maltreated Children: Consequences of Emotional Neglect in Childhood,” by Dr. Bruce D. Perry - author in ORPARC's library
Couples & Caregiving - an ORPARC Resource page
How a Caregiver's Trauma Can Impact a Child's Development by NICABM (infographic)
The Lasting Impact of Neglect by Kirsten Weir, American Psychological Association (APA)
NACAC Parent Resources
Our Stories Shape Our Attachment by Nathan Ross, adoptee
“Parenting a Child who has Experienced Trauma,” by CWIG
Serve and Return (article, guide, video) by Center on the Developing Child, Harvard
- en español
Single Parenting - an ORPARC Resource page
Slumberkins books in ORPARC's library, Resources & Printables - for kids!
- Authenticity, Building Connections, & Growth Mindset
The Science of Parent-Child Relationships: Parental Openness Can Help Children Learn to Trust by Jonathan Baylin - author in ORPARC's library
Social Buffering and Compassionate Stories: The Neuroscience of Trust Building with Children in Care by Jonathan Baylin - author in ORPARC's library
'Therapeutic Parenting' information by Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN)
Want to Create Secure Attachment? Look in a Book by Michelle Halle, LCSW
We All Have RAD by Natasha Metzler, adoptive parent - faith-inspired content
When Life Throws %$@#! at You, Cover It In Glimmer by Debbie Spengler, I-ASC
What is Circle of Security Parenting? by Paula Sacks

Culturally specific

Attachment & Bonding in Indian Child Welfare and Contemporary Attachment & Bonding Research by NICWA
Cultural Variations in Attachment by The Attachment Project
The Impact of Race & Culture on Attachment Security, Part I, with Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker by The Attachment Theory in Action Podcast
Indigenous Healing Rituals through the Science of Attachment & Emotion Part 1 with Denise Findlay (Squamish) by UBC Learning Circle (video)
Race, Racism, & Relationships: What Matters for Teens’ Mental Health? by Dr. Jessica Stern
Transracial Parenting/Cultural Diversity - an ORPARC Resource page

Videos & Podcasts

Adoption Wise Podcast by Lisa Qualls & Melissa Corkum - authors in ORPARC's library
Attachment Theory in Action Podcast - featuring experts like Tina Payne Bryson & Alan Sroufe!
Becoming Securely Attached with Dr. Sarah Bren by Robyn Gobbel Podcast - author in ORPARC's library
Bonding, Boundaries & Battles: Finding the Balance of Attachment-Focused Discipline in Adoption by Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker - author in ORPARC's library (video)
Circle of Security Animation by Circle of Security International - author in ORPARC's library
How Every Child Can Thrive By Five by Molly Wright, TedTalk (she's a child!)
How To Make Sense of Disrupted Attachment in Children With Trauma with Deborah Gray by The Honestly Adoption Company Podcast – authors in ORPARC's library
Parenting the Challenging Child While Maintaining Attachment with Tina Feigal - free course courtesy of Jockey!
The Power of Discord with Dr. Edward Tronick by Raising Good Humans (podcast)
The Problem With RAD by Robyn Gobbel Podcast - author in ORPARC's library
The Story of The O's by Dr. Chandra Ghosh Ippen - author in ORPARC's library (video)
Therapeutic Life Story Work Serve and Return Demonstration by Richard Rose - author in ORPARC's library (video)
Trauma Responsive Care: Rebuilding Trust After Trauma by Beth Tysons, LLC - author in ORPARC's library (video)
Using Attachment for Healing and Attachment States of Mind by Jacob Ham (videos)

Featured Favorites

Attachment: How Ours Impacts Theirs by Robyn Gobbel

The Simple Guide to Attachment Difficulties in Children by Betsy de Thierry

I’ll Always Come Back to You by Carmen Tafolla

Stars that Connect Us by Marisa Erven (Coquille)

We Belong Together by Todd Parr

Winning the Heart of Your Child by Mike Berry

Untangling Disorganized Attachment by Robyn Gobbel

Creating Loving Attachments by Kim S. Golding