Catch-point

Therapy

CATCH-point's Creative Attachment Therapy Model is based on attachment theory and research into the effectiveness of creative arts and play therapies in healing trauma. Creative Attachment Therapy focuses on the parent-child relationship.

Creative Attachment Therapy

CATCH-point have combined the well researched methods of creative arts therapies and play therapy with attachment theory to offer Creative Attachment Therapy to adoptive and foster families who are struggling to build a positive bond with their child. The difficulty in bonding (different from attachment) is usually caused by the child's poor experience of parenting including neglect, abuse or rejection prior to placement. These are the main contributing factors in the development of insecure or disorganised attachment patterns. (see attachment theory)

At CATCH-point, the parents or carers (here called 'parents') are included in the therapy sessions, and the focus of the work is the relationship between the parent and child. The bonding relationship between client and therapist that is recognised as being healing (see creative arts therapies) is encouraged between the parent and child. The parents are not themselves therapists but work in partnership with CATCH-point therapists. By working together as a healing team, the parent/s and therapist create a secure environment for imaginative exploration of feelings. The parent and child become engaged in creative activities, which provoke emotional connections, challenging the child's belief that he needs to comfort and protect himself. Encouraging growth and change in the relationship between the parent and child is not in itself 'attachment' but it is through the development of trust in the primary attachment figure that attachment patterns can be altered and lives transformed.