Bridging the trauma-adult attachment connection through somatic movement

Abstract

This study shows how the inclusion of a developmental somatic movement approach to trauma can unveil and help integrate underlying patterns of attachment trauma and disorganization. It describes highlights of a clinical application combining movement observation and therapy with knowledge of adult attachment to address the post-traumatic symptoms of a 60-year-old man whose brush with death left him socially withdrawn, irritable, sleep deprived, and plagued by flashbacks. Methods included protocols from Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Psycho-Physical Therapy, Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy, and Dynamic Embodiment Somatic Movement Therapy (BodyMind Centering; Laban Movement Analysis). The Adult Attachment Projective Picture System established unresolved attachment trauma; The Online Alexithymic Questionnaire revealed evidence of alexithymia; movement observation reflected the presence of unconscious and unintegrated developmental movement patterns. After 18 weeks, many symptoms were eliminated or reduced. The client reported a sense of resilience with greater ability to self-regulate under stress.