ABSTRACT
Attachment-focused therapies solve complex trauma by helping the child and caregiver to either build new attachment relationships, or to repair the existing relationships which have been damaged. Phase-oriented attachment-focused therapy aims to build or repair attachment relationships between the child and their caregiver, and then to work within these relationships to guide the caregiver in supporting the child. The model of phase-oriented attachment-focused trauma therapy that has developed incorporates an attachment figure, usually the caregiver or care-givers, into each phase of treatment. Achieving this requires gently challenging assumptions held by caregivers and children about therapy and therapists. The availability of brief models of treatment opens options for clients and allows greater freedom for therapists to invest long-term resources where they are needed. The work with single-session therapy has taught important ideas and skills needed for long-term work. The treatment frame described is flexible, responsive and respectful. The treatment frame and relationship are interventions in themselves.
