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Polyvagal theory and peek-a-boo - how the therapeutic pas de deux heals attachment trauma

MetadataDetails
Publication Date2015-10-02
JournalBody Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy
AuthorsDee Wagner
InstitutionsCounseling Center
Citations10

Porges (2011) postulates new information about how our biology shapes the interactions that form attachment styles. Attachment theory can now be looked at through a lens of polyvagal awareness (Diamond, L. (2015). The biobehavioral legacy of early attachment relationships for adult emotional and interpersonal functioning. In V. Zayas & C. Hazan (Eds.), Bases of adult attachment: Linking brain, mind and behavior (pp. 79-105). New York, NY: Springer). With an understanding of the defensive aspects of the autonomic nervous system, it is more possible for therapists to invite connection, notice disruption of connection and facilitate reconnection. Understanding can lead to the relaxation of defences needed for life-threatening situations and move experiences like peek-a-boo from a potential reign of panic into the realm of play.