58th Annual PCA Conference

Name: Promoting Secure Relational Patterns: Emotionally Focused Therapy for Insecure Attachment
Start: 2026-11-06T17:30:00-0500
End: 2026-11-06T18:00:00-0500

Promoting Secure Relational Patterns: Emotionally Focused Therapy for Insecure Attachment

Friday November 6, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EST

Attachment theory supports the idea that the way a child bonds with their primary caregiver shapes the relational schemas and attachment style they carry into adult relationships. The four attachment styles – secure, avoidant, anxious and fearful-avoidant – are associated with different senses of self, perceptions of worthiness of love and trust, coping strategies and emotion regulation. Anxious and avoidant attachment styles have been linked to childhood maltreatment, particularly emotional neglect and sexual abuse. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) has been shown to be effective in promoting more secure attachment patterns, both in individual and in couple therapy. EFT uses a range of techniques to target emotion schemas, including reflection of feelings, interpretation, focus on bodily responses, enactment and recognition of attachment needs. These interventions help clients develop healthier and more secure ways of connecting with others and expressing emotions. A common negative dynamic in couples occurs when one partner has an avoidant attachment style and the other has an anxious one. In such cases, couples may become trapped in a relational pattern called the pursue–withdraw cycle, in which the pursuer seeks reassurance through criticism, while the withdrawer retreats to cope with overwhelming emotions. This session aims to help participants understand how attachment styles manifest in individuals and couples, as well as how EFT addresses attachment challenges.

Speakers

Fay Giannakou

First year Master's student in clinical psychology, Penn State University, Harrisburg

Fay Giannakou is a first-year master’s student in Applied Clinical Psychology at Penn State Harrisburg and a licensed psychologist in Greece. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and expanded her clinical training with a psychodynamic focus on clinical assessment, intakes... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EST

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58th Annual PCA Conference

Fay Giannakou

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58th Annual PCA Conference

Fay Giannakou

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