Parent Training and Support: Building Secure Attachments and Resilient Families

Author: Lori Gill, RP, MACP, CTIC
Founder and Clinical Director, Lori Gill Psychotherapy
http://www.holisticwellnessforhealth.com/ | @lorigilltherapy

At Lori Gill Psychotherapy, we believe every parent does the best they can with what they know. Our early experiences shape how we parent, but with education, support, and resources, parents can learn to attune to their children and foster healthy attachment relationships.

Why Attachment Matters

Research shows the greatest predictor of secure attachment is whether parents have made sense of their own childhood experiences (Siegel, 2012; Fosha, 2000; Schore, 2012). Self-reflection is essential—when we understand our own feelings, we can better empathize with and respond to our children’s needs.

Trauma can make it difficult for parents to connect with their emotions and understand the origins of their reactions. Therapy and compassionate support can help parents bring their emotions online, understand their responses, and parent with greater awareness (van der Kolk, 2014; Schore, 2014; Siegel & Hartzell, 2003).

10-Week Attachment-Informed Parenting Program

We’ve developed a comprehensive training program to help parents understand trauma, attachment, and how their own childhood shapes their parenting. Each session includes:

• Attachment-enhancing activities
• Psychoeducation
• Self-reflection exercises
• Take-home activities

 

Based on leading neuroscience and attachment research, parents and caregivers learn:

• Mindful, neurologically-informed parenting
• Emotional attunement and regulation
• Building resiliency and healthy relationships
• Understanding trauma’s impact on brain, body, and behaviour
• Sensory strategies for behaviour regulation
• Reflecting on personal attachment experiences
• Age-specific strategies to increase attachment and prevent meltdowns

 

The Power of “Good Enough” Parenting

Attuned, compassionate parenting leads to:

• Feeling deserving of love and care
• Belief that our needs are not too much for others
• Sense of being enough
• Greater tolerance for pleasure and discomfort
• Strong social skills and self-soothing abilities
• Intimacy, connection, and frustration tolerance
• Emotional congruence and self-worth

 

When attachment is disrupted—due to abuse or neglect—children may experience:

• Persistent fear and hypervigilance
• Aggression, impulsivity, or anti-social behaviour
• Increased risk for ADHD and depression
• Emotional and behavioural regulation difficulties
• Lower academic and social performance
• Higher risk of addiction, self-harm, and physical health issues

 

Our goal is to empower parents with the knowledge and skills to create safe, nurturing environments for their children.

Understanding the Brain and Trauma

Amygdala: Our “security guard,” scanning for danger
Hippocampus: Our “search engine,” forming memories and learning
Broca’s & Wernicke’s Areas: Speech centers, can “go offline” during overwhelm

Mindfulness, body awareness, and conscious practices help restore balance and safety.

How You Can Help Your Child

• Compassion & Safety: Recognize trauma responses as survival strategies
• Empower & Normalize: Listen and validate your child’s experiences
• Affection & Protection: Offer loving connection and sensory comfort
• Structure & Predictability: Provide routine, limit consequences, and create teachable moments
• Arousal Awareness: Help children identify and manage their emotional states

 

Sample Sensory Strategies:

To decrease arousal:

• Diaphragmatic breathing
• Weighted blankets
• Gentle therapy ball pressure
• Soothing music
• Comforting food

 

To increase arousal:

• Chewy/crunchy snacks
• Rocking motions
• Dancing and music
• Water play

 

Elevated arousal can lead to reactivity and difficulty concentrating—understanding and supporting regulation is vital for both home and school environments.

Lori Gill Psychotherapy also offers trauma-informed school trainings. Ask us about our tip sheet for educators!

Learn more and join our Parent Training and Support Program:
🌐 www.holisticwellnessforhealth.com
📱 @lorigilltherapy