Keep connected! Let me know if there is anything you need support with!

Adoption is more than just placement—it’s a lifelong journey of attachment, identity, and connection. In this episode of The Art of Attachment, we dive into private domestic adoption and explore how early separation, open vs. closed adoption, and identity struggles shape a child’s attachment development.

We’ll discuss how even infants experience adoption-related loss, why honesty is essential in sharing a child’s adoption story, and practical strategies to build secure attachment. Whether you’re an adoptive parent, an adoptee, or a professional supporting families, this episode will help you navigate the complexities of adoption with connection and care.

https://www.thetheraplacemn.org

Understanding Attachment and Quiz:
https://www.thetheraplacemn.org/understandingattachmentzquiz

Keep connected! Let me know if there is anything you need support with!

Parenting is stressful—there’s no way around it. From daily responsibilities to unexpected challenges, stress can take a toll on how we connect with our children. But even in overwhelming moments, maintaining a secure attachment is possible. In this episode, we explore how different attachment styles influence our responses to stress and how past experiences can shape the way we parent under pressure. Whether you tend to withdraw, become anxious, or struggle with emotional swings, understanding your stress response is the first step toward strengthening your connection with your child.

We also dive into Theraplay-based strategies that help regulate emotions while reinforcing attachment. Small, playful interactions—like rhythmic movement, gentle touch, or micro-moments of connection—can make a big difference in stressful times. Plus, we discuss practical self-regulation techniques for parents, including how to pause before reacting, repair moments of disconnection, and find simple ways to reconnect when you’re feeling overwhelmed. No matter how chaotic life gets, secure attachment is built in everyday moments—and even on the hardest days, connection matters.

https://www.thetheraplacemn.org

Understanding Attachment and Quiz:
https://www.thetheraplacemn.org/understandingattachmentzquiz

Keep connected! Let me know if there is anything you need support with!

In this episode of The Art of Attachment, Natalie Larson dives deep into the complex world of attachment trauma. Whether you’re a parent navigating challenging behaviors or a therapist supporting children and families, this episode offers valuable insights into understanding the impact of early disruptions in caregiving relationships. Natalie explores how attachment trauma manifests through behaviors like defiance, emotional dysregulation, and resistance to connection.

You’ll learn practical, hands-on strategies to help children heal, including Theraplay activities that foster trust and connection, as well as art-based techniques that provide a safe outlet for processing emotions. Natalie also addresses the emotional toll on parents and therapists, offering empathy and encouragement for those walking this journey.

Join us as we unpack the challenges and rewards of helping children rediscover safety and connection. Because healing happens in relationships—and connection matters, every single day.

Pulled From a Hat - In the book Creative Family Techniques by Liana Lowenstein
Lion In A Cage - https://www.thetheraplacemn.org/lion-in-a-cage

https://www.thetheraplacemn.org

Understanding Attachment and Quiz:
https://www.thetheraplacemn.org/understandingattachmentzquiz

Keep connected! Let me know if there is anything you need support with!

In this episode of The Art of Attachment, we explore the intersection of adoption and attachment, focusing on how trauma shapes the relationships and emotional needs of adopted children. We discuss the unique challenges of adopting through foster care, international adoption, and private domestic adoption.

Listeners will learn about how trauma impacts brain development, attachment styles, and behavior, as well as practical strategies to foster connection, such as creating felt safety, co-regulation, and repairing ruptures.

The episode concludes with artistic activities to strengthen attachment, including creating family collages, painting emotion rocks, and making a life book, offering fun and therapeutic ways to build trust and connection.

Rock Painting: https://amzn.to/4g5zE9N
Permanent Paint: https://amzn.to/4jn91jC

BOOKS!
Attaching In Adoption (Caregivers): https://amzn.to/3WpXBlc
Nurturing Adoptions (Professionals): https://amzn.to/3PH7eIm
Parenting with Theraplay: https://amzn.to/3CkcbE1

https://www.thetheraplacemn.org

Understanding Attachment and Quiz:
https://www.thetheraplacemn.org/understandingattachmentzquiz

Keep connected! Let me know if there is anything you need support with!

In this episode of The Art of Attachment, we explore ambivalent attachment and its connection to trauma. Learn how early relational experiences shape this attachment style and discover strategies for creating safety, trust, and connection in caregiving and therapeutic relationships. We'll dive into creative, trauma-informed activities for parents, children, and therapists and discuss how Theraplay's structure, engagement, nurture, and challenge dimensions can support healing. Join us as we uncover practical ways to foster secure attachment and resilience in children. "Connection matters, every single day. So stay connected!"

Learn YOUR attachment style: https://www.thetheraplacemn.org/attachmentquiz

Click the link for resources -
Manimo Weighted Animal: https://a.co/d/3mOrEbs
Weighted Blanket Animal: https://a.co/d/bKRe1nH
Parenting with Theraplay Book: https://a.co/d/4kasBQB

https://www.thetheraplacemn.org

Understanding Attachment and Quiz:
https://www.thetheraplacemn.org/understandingattachmentzquiz

Keep connected! Let me know if there is anything you need support with!

As we transition into a new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the attachment strategies we’ve used, celebrate our growth, and set meaningful goals for the year ahead. In this episode of The Art of Attachment, host Natalie Larson guides listeners through an exploration of their attachment journey—what worked, what didn’t, and how to build on those lessons moving forward.

Learn how to create realistic, attachment-focused goals using the Theraplay dimensions of Structure, Engagement, Nurture, and Challenge. Natalie also shares creative tools, like the New Year's High Five and Connection Calendar, to make the process practical and fun.

Let’s move into the new year with intention, focusing on deeper connections and lasting bonds. Connection matters, every single day. So stay connected!

https://www.thetheraplacemn.org

Understanding Attachment and Quiz:
https://www.thetheraplacemn.org/understandingattachmentzquiz

Keep connected! Let me know if there is anything you need support with!

The holidays can be magical, but they can also bring challenges—especially for families navigating attachment. In this episode of The Art of Attachment, host Natalie Larson explores how the season’s disruptions, overstimulation, and busy schedules impact children with various attachment styles.

Discover practical strategies to create predictability, maintain routines, and build quiet moments of connection during the holiday hustle. Natalie also shares a creative activitiy to foster trust and bonding.

Learn how to make the holidays a time of joy and connection for your family. Connection matters, every single day. So stay connected!

https://www.thetheraplacemn.org

Understanding Attachment and Quiz:
https://www.thetheraplacemn.org/understandingattachmentzquiz

Keep connected! Let me know if there is anything you need support with!

In this episode of The Art of Attachment, host Natalie Larson dives into the foundation of secure attachment and its impact on emotional regulation, resilience, and lifelong relationships. Discover how responsive caregiving and emotional attunement create a sense of safety and trust for children.

Natalie shares evidence-based insights, Theraplay dimensions, and creative activities—like “Mirror Time” and “The Ornament of Change”—that parents and professionals can use to foster secure attachment. Whether you’re a caregiver or a therapist, this episode offers practical tools to strengthen bonds and promote connection.

Join us to learn how small, consistent actions can create a lifetime of security and love. Connection matters, every single day. So stay connected!

Canva Link for Activities!
https://www.thetheraplacemn.org/attachment-activities

https://a.co/d/90PcfCO - Clear Ornament
https://a.co/d/746FLdz - Tinsel for inside ornament
https://a.co/d/bqoBkQB - Crinkle Paper for inside ornament
https://a.co/d/4o3bhHa - Curling Ribbon to hang ornament
https://a.co/d/5bOUfD8 - Cardstock
https://a.co/d/0VD1nFq - Sharpies to write on the ornament

These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission when you make a purchase through the links. The best news? It doesn’t cost you a penny! Thanks for supporting The Art Of Attachment Podcast by shopping!

https://www.thetheraplacemn.org

Understanding Attachment and Quiz:
https://www.thetheraplacemn.org/understandingattachmentzquiz