A Primer on Reactive Attachment Disorders in Teens

Chamberlain International School is a therapeutic boarding school serving students with special behavioral and emotional needs. Working primarily with individuals aged 11-22, Chamberlain International School provides in-depth clinical services for students with reactive attachment disorders. 

The work of psychologists John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth led to the development of attachment theory, which describes how individuals form relationships with other people. Early life experiences play a critical role in how individuals relate to the world, as well as the emotions they experience when entering into close relationships. When parents fail to form bonds with their children due to factors such as substance abuse or mental illness, children often find themselves unable to feel comfortable in intimate relationships even into adulthood. In the teenage years, this often manifests as behavioral issues, emotional withdrawal, and social isolation. 

Teens with reactive attachment disorders often respond well to treatment. Clinical therapy offers different treatment modalities, such as family systems therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, each of which addresses a different component of the participant’s attachment issues. Expressive activities such as music therapy and creative arts therapy can have significant benefits for teens with reactive attachment disorders. In equine-assisted therapy, participants take the small step of caring for a horse, which can give them the confidence and sense of calm necessary to explore relationships with other people.