The other day, I came across a discussion in a professional therapist group that caught my attention. Someone was asking for recommendations for an attachment‑informed EMDR therapist. A therapist in the group, who identifies as a trauma therapist, mentioned that while they consider themselves attachment‑informed, they personally did not see how attachment would be relevant to EMDR.

I shared some thoughts in the conversation, hoping to provide clarity, where I explained that there are actually well‑established types of attachment‑related EMDR training, such as the highly recognised Attachment‑Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR by Laurel Parnell) and lesser known Attachment‑Based EMDR/Attachment-Informed EMDR (AI-EMDR by Mark Brayne, EMDR Focus).

I also went on to explain that attachment is especially relevant when a client’s trauma stems from early attachment wounds. EMDR, in its original form, was developed primarily for single‑event traumas and does not naturally address attachment disruptions. Traditional EMDR is incredibly effective for many types of trauma, but when working with attachment‑related trauma, therapists with specialised training can adapt EMDR techniques to meet the client’s needs.

The therapist responded that, in their view, incorporating attachment into EMDR felt like overcomplicating the process, and said that this was their own opinion. I understood and respected their perspective, but I also felt a responsibility to share some psychoeducation, especially for those who work with clients whose trauma is rooted in early attachment wounds.

Attachment trauma is different because it happens when we don’t feel safe or cared for by our main caregivers as children, and this type of early relational trauma shapes the developing nervous system in ways that can make emotion regulation, stress responses, and relationships harder throughout life. This is not just an opinion, such as my opinion versus the other therapist’s. Instead, this is about decades of research that repeatedly show that disruptions in early attachment are linked with more persistent difficulties in stress, emotional regulation and relationships (affect regulation and interpersonal functioning) than many other types of trauma, and these patterns are recognised in trauma research and clinical models such as Complex PTSD and developmental psychopathology. They consistently show us that how these early attachment disruptions can impact their lives in profound ways.

So this is why specialised approaches, such as attachment‑informed adaptations of EMDR, can make a significant difference for these clients.

To help both clients and therapists better understand these distinctions, I am planning to create a Myth vs. Fact guide about attachment and EMDR. My hope is that this resource will offer clear psychoeducation, clarify any common misconceptions, and support trauma‑informed therapy for everyone navigating attachment‑related healing.

As therapists, our goal is always to provide the most informed and compassionate support possible, so I do believe that recognising the nuances of different trauma types, including attachment‑based trauma, allows us to meet clients where they are and support their healing more effectively.

This experience was a reminder, for me, and perhaps for others in the field, that even well-meaning therapists can have blind spots. Ongoing learning, curiousity, and openness to research are essential for providing truly trauma-informed therapy. I have had clients share that they previously sought help from therapists who advertised themselves as trauma therapists and placed their trust in them, only to feel that the therapy they received did more harm than good. These experiences can leave clients feeling retraumatised, misunderstood, or unsafe.

This is why it is so important that therapists working with trauma, especially attachment-related trauma, have the right training, awareness, and sensitivity. Even well-intentioned work can unintentionally cause harm if these factors are missing. I want to be clear that this is not a judgment or criticism of any therapist. We can only work with what we know at any given time, and we are all continuously learning. The key is being humble enough to acknowledge that we don’t know everything, and remaining open to ongoing professional development (CPD) and learning from research. These qualities help us provide safer, more effective support for clients, particularly those navigating attachment-related trauma.

Finally, although, not known of in the UK, there is also another evidence-based approach, which is called The Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM)®, developed by Lori Gill. This is not an EMDR model, but instead a distinct integrative approach that does have some overlap with EMDR. Some of the similarities are the use of bilateral stimulation (e.g., eye movements, tapping), there is an aim to process traumatic memories rather than only talk about them, and work across past memories, present triggers, and future templates. Both approaches support nervous system regulation during trauma processing and are commonly used with complex and developmental trauma. I am brining this training back to UK in May 2026, so if you are interested, please get in touch and if you click here there is some more information about it.

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