Attachment-Focused Therapy in Melbourne
Have you noticed patterns of unhealthy relationship dynamics you're ready to address? Are you interested in learning about your attachment insecurity, and developing a healthier, secure attachment style? Our experienced attachment-focused therapists are here to help you.
What are attachment styles?
Attachment styles refer to your pattern of forming and maintaining relationships. If you're interested to learn more, check out our online course designed to teach you all about attachment styles.
1 / Secure Attachment
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can form trusting, stable, and fulfilling relationships
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healthy balance of closeness and independence
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feeling comfortable both with intimacy and being alone
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positive view of self and others
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open communication, respect for boundaries
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can manage emotions effectively
2 / Preoccupied/Anxious Attachment
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strong desire for closeness and intimacy
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deep fears of abandonment and rejection
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highly sensitive to their partners' emotions and behaviours
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seeking reassurance and validation
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experiences anxiety and insecurity within relationships
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can be dependent, possessive, and has a tendency to overreact to perceived threats to the relationship
3 / Dismissive/Avoidant Attachment
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strong preference for independence and self-reliance
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discomfort with emotional intimacy and close relationships
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downplays the importance of relationships
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avoids vulnerability, can appear emotionally distant or cold
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values autonomy, uncomfortable with dependence on others
4 / Fearful/Disorganised Attachment
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a simultaneous desire for close relationships and fear of intimacy and distrust of others
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crave closeness but also anticipate potential hurt or rejection
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push-pull relationship dynamics
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risk of mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety.
It's time to reach out for help if:
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You want to improve your mental health and relationships
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You recognise early childhood experiences affected your ability to form and maintain relationships
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You discover you have a preoccupied, dismissive, or fearful attachment style, and want to move towards attachment security
We provide a range of tailored evidence-based therapies to support your attachment style.
We’ll help you understand your attachment style, including the reasons it developed, and the ways it currently keeps you stuck. The therapeutic relationship will serve as a trial run to develop healthier relationship patterns, that you can then take into the real world.
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Examples of evidence-based therapies for anxiety include:
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Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
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Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
Our Locations
We offer face-to-face attachment-focused therapy across two convenient locations in Melbourne and online therapy via telehealth Australia-wide
Attachment-Focused Therapy Treatment FAQs
We're here to answer any questions you have about attachment-focused therapy
If you have a question that is not answered below, shoot us an email
01
How common is an insecure attachment style?
Most studies find around 60% of adults have a secure attachment style. Of the insecure attachment style types, dismissive seems to be slightly more common than preoccupied, and only a small number of people are found to have a fearful attachment style.
03
How long does attachment-focused therapy take?
It’s hard to say exactly how long treatment for attachment insecurity takes, as everyone is different. The number of sessions will depend on a range of factors, including whether you have something else you’re struggling with (e.g., another diagnosis or history of trauma), and how well your environment supports you to change
02
Do I need a referral to see an attachment-focused therapist?
You don’t need a referral to see an attachment-focused therapist. However, if you wish to receive Medicare rebates (with eligible clinicians), you should speak to your GP about getting a Mental Health Treatment Plan
04
Is a secure attachment possible?
Absolutely. Using evidence-based therapies, such as CBT or IPT, many people experience shifts towards attachment security.