How Can AAI Be Used in Play Therapy to Create Secure Attachments?
Cathi Spooner 
In this episode, we’ll dive into the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) and its benefits in play therapy. The AAI is a powerful tool that can be integrated into your practice to enhance your case conceptualization and treatment planning, especially when working with parents. I am thrilled to have a special guest today, Karen Doyle Buckwalter, an expert in play therapy and attachment theory.
Karen has over 30 years of experience working with children and families. She is a registered play therapy supervisor, a Theraplay trainer and supervisor, an author, and a podcaster. With her extensive background in attachment and working with children with attachment issues, Karen brings invaluable insights to our discussion.
What is the AAI?
The AAI, or Adult Attachment Interview, was developed by Mary Main and her colleagues. It's an interview with about 20 core questions designed to uncover patterns in how adults recall and discuss their attachment histories. The brilliance of the AAI lies in its ability to reveal the coherence of a person's autobiographical narrative—how they make sense of their past experiences, which is crucial in understanding their attachment style.
The Importance of Training
Using the AAI effectively requires specific training. This ensures that therapists can administer the interview correctly and interpret the results accurately. Proper training allows therapists to identify attachment patterns and utilize this information to inform their therapeutic approach.
Integrating the AAI in Play Therapy
Karen emphasizes the significance of the AAI in case conceptualization and treatment planning. By understanding a parent's attachment style, therapists can tailor their approach to support both the parent and the child more effectively. For example, knowing a parent's history of trauma or unresolved issues can help therapists guide them towards healthier interactions with their children.
Practical Application
Karen shares an example of how the AAI can deepen the understanding of a parent's behavior. In one instance, a parent struggled with structuring sessions because it triggered memories of her own childhood. By recognizing this, Karen was able to address the underlying issues and provide better support, illustrating the profound impact of integrating the AAI into practice.
Why This Matters
Understanding the attachment patterns of parents is crucial, especially when working with children who have attachment issues. Children spend the majority of their time with their caregivers, and if those caregivers have unresolved attachment issues, it can hinder the child's progress. By involving parents and addressing their attachment styles, therapists can create a more supportive and healing environment for the child.
Conclusion
Integrating the AAI into play therapy provides a comprehensive understanding of both the child's and the parent's needs. This holistic approach ensures that the therapy addresses the root of the issues and supports the entire family system in healing and growth.
If you're interested in learning more about Karen Doyle Buckwalter's work and her trainings on the AAI, visit her website at Karen Doyle Buckwalter.
Thank you for joining us in this insightful episode. Stay tuned for more discussions on advancing your play therapy skills. Until next time, keep playing, learning, and growing!
Categories: : Case Conceptualization, Play Therapy, Play Therapy Model, Podcast, treatmet plan
