FAQ

No. It's perfectly possible to do attachment style work without using attachment style labels. Attachment styles are generalisations that are useful up to a point but don't always apply cleanly to individuals, and can change depending on circumstances. They're often more useful to the coach than the client in informing pattern exploration.

We will focus on the patterns that are actually showing up for you, specifically.

My primary coaching certification is in Integrated Attachment Theory, and this forms the backdrop to my coaching work. My emphasis is on understanding precisely what is driving a pattern before deciding how to address it.

I draw from IAT, and attachment and learning theories more generally, to identify and change the specific patterns that are causing problems rather than working broadly across a whole style without focus.

Yes, where it is relevant. Core wounds are useful because they reveal the meaning attached to a pattern. Tackling a core wound isn't the only endpoint; we also aim to change the pattern it's driving.

No. This is coaching, not psychotherapy or medical treatment. It is practical, structured and focused on identifying and changing repeating patterns.

Attachment theory places current behaviour in the context of past experience, but it isn't necessary (and it can in fact be counter-productive) to unearth those experiences in detail in order to overcome them. Sometimes it can be helpful to look to the past to understand the origins of current behaviour, but it's not a mainstay of the process. If exploring the past is of paramount importance, traditional psychotherapy may be a better fit for you.

No. Attachment patterns often show up most obviously in relationships, but they can also affect work, confidence, authority, conflict, boundaries and performance.

That's not uncommon. The process isn't reliant on insight alone. Many people already understand their patterns quite well and still find that the same responses continue to happen anyway.

I hold an Integrated Attachment Theory™ coaching certificate issued by the Personal Development School, founded by Dr Thais Gibson, which specialises in attachment theory and personal development education.

I'm medically qualified but I no longer practise medicine, and I don't offer attachment coaching as medical treatment.

Session numbers are agreed provisionally at the outset and serve as a guide rather than a fixed commitment. The number depends on the breadth of the issue, what we find as we go and how quickly things move forward.

Style Focused programmes typically run across around 12 sessions, usually weekly or fortnightly. Problem Specific programmes typically run across four to five.

No. There is no fixed minimum number of sessions and no obligation to complete a programme in full.

If the programme isn't meeting your expectations, or either of us has concerns about progress, we'll review what we're doing and whether the goals, focus or approach need to change.

You're free to stop at any point if the coaching no longer feels useful or right for you.

All sessions are conducted online via Google Meet.