ABSTRACT
Chapter 3 examines the neurological impact of trauma within attachment relationships. The author examines the formation of traumatic memories via implicit and explicit memory processes. Memories are heavily influenced by perceptions and biases associated with past experiences, which impact current behavior. This chapter explores Stephen Porges’ concept of neuroception and activation of fight, flight, or freeze behavior. A sense of safety is required for the social brain processes to engage in secure attachment formation. Right brain circuitry has been studied extensively by Allan Schore to understand the role of these circuits in attachment and in the developing child’s social and emotional well-being. The right brain encompasses the dominant neural circuitry that develops during the first three years of life for survival, attachment, and regulation of emotion. Beginning in infancy, children learn to register every nuance of interpersonal interactions with their parents from tone of voice, facial expressions, and touch. Attachment and emotion regulation are significantly related and influenced by experiences beginning in infancy via parent–child interaction. The author discusses dissociation and views dissociation as an adaptive function. Using an adaptive view of dissociation requires therapists to explore and identify the purpose and trigger of the dissociative behavior, so that therapists and parents can help traumatized children feel safe and find more effective ways to address situations.
