If there are differences between the parent and the therapist, the therapist and parents will actively work to resolve them. The bulk of the work in attachment therapy occurs at home, between the parents and the child. The therapist assists the parents in developing parenting styles and philosophies which support the development of healthy attachments. Consequences with empathy are a primary means of teaching the child, but all discipline is aimed toward nurturing the attachment relationship. This may include examining their own issues, such as the marital relationship, infertility, grief and loss, childhood trauma, etc. helping families and children develop reasonable expectations of success Crucial to treatment progress is the parent's commitment to keeping the child in the family.
Parents deserve complete and unbiased information on a continuing basis and in a supportive manner.
Success belongs to the family, not to the therapist. Supervision, peer supervision, and therapy are all recommended options for support and continued skill development of the therapist. Therapists should be aware of their own biases and issues that affect the manner in which they work. Therapists should work only within their area of expertise, in keeping with their level of training, and under their professional code of ethics. A therapist should always approach a family and child with respect and without blame.