An attachment-focused contextual behavioural approach to psychotherapy

In the world of therapy, certain buzzwords often gain popularity—whether it’s “person-centered,” “trauma-informed,” “neuroscience,” or “attachment.” While these terms can capture important aspects of psychotherapy, they often represent just a small piece of the broader process. Psychotherapy, at its core, is an attempt to explain the human condition and behavior. In this context, I’d like to share how I approach therapy, drawing on both my professional experience and personal insights. I hope this gives you a glimpse into my perspective, not just as a professional but also as a fellow human being.

Before I began my counselling studies, I had always noticed a pattern in close relationships—whether they were between parents and children, siblings, romantic partners, or even friends. There seemed to be an emotional dance in these bonds, something I later came to understand as attachment. I define attachment as the natural human instinct to gravitate toward people or things that provide safety, thereby forming emotional bonds. As renowned couples therapist Sue Johnson notes, attachment is hardwired into our bodies and essential for survival. This biological-emotional connection not only ensures our survival in early years by keeping us safe for physical and emotional development, but it also raises existential questions for all of us: To whom do I matter? and Am I Alone?

From an attachment perspective, we all have a core need to form secure bonds with significant others—people who make us feel that we matter. This need for connection influences our behavior, feelings, and thoughts, which is why I focus heavily on attachment in my work with clients.

On the other hand, the contextual behavioral approach, often seen in therapies like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), revolves around using behavioral analysis to alleviate human suffering. This approach emphasizes the ways behavior and its context interact, helping us explore how patterns of action relate to well-being and distress.

I know all of this can sound a bit complicated, but you don’t need to grasp every detail to engage in therapy with me! I’ve delved into my approach in a more in-depth manner here, but simply put, my focus is on how you relate to both your significant others and your own inner experience—your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors—throughout our work together.