Attachment Style, Traumatic Bonding, and Developing Relational Capacities in a Long-Term Trauma Group for Women

ABSTRACT

Adults with histories of severe childhood abuse often experience considerable difficulties with interpersonal trust. At the same time, they may strongly desire to be less alone with the painful aftereffects of their traumatic pasts. Psychotherapy groups have often been recommended as important components of treatment for reducing survivors' feelings of isolation and shame. We propose that an understanding of attachment styles and of traumatic bonding helps to clarify the specific manifestations of interpersonal distrust as they may emerge in a survivors' group. In addition, we suggest guidelines for determining what kind of group may be appropriate for a given individual at a particular point in treatment.