Attached relationships are critical in child development, as the quality of a child’s early attachments is directly related to their ability to develop healthy relationships and to mature in a psychologically healthy manner over their lifetime.
When an attached relationship is threatened or severed, trauma will likely result. Interrupted bonding, whatever its origin, can take a huge toll on emotional health and well-being.
Bonding Assessments are often requested by social services agencies, courts and attorneys in situations where feedback is needed in deciding whether to work toward a return of custody versus exploring options such as termination of parental rights, guardianship, change of placement, continued foster placement or adoption.
At times, assessment of a child's attachment style/pattern is needed for therapeutic planning and placement stabilization purposes. At Built to Bond, Inc., this assessment is three-pronged to enable the assessor to gain as much information as possible regarding the child's functioning.
- A full developmental history will be obtained.
- Symptomatic and diagnostic information will be obtained.
- Current and past caregivers’ attachment history will be obtained.
Information will be obtained about the family context and a determination of attachment patterns will be made, indicating appropriate modalities for therapeutic treatment.
