A.R.T.© explores the notion that a primary role of the therapist,
teacher, carer, helper, and or support worker, particularly when working
with clients/consumers/students with complex trauma histories, is that
of what is termed, a transitional secure attachment figure. Human beings
require safety in order to learn, grow and reach their full potentials
(Cozzillino, 2013). This safety is best formed in, and from, respectful,
mutual, reciprocal and authentic relationships. Whether it is between
caregiver and child, teacher and student, mentor and mentee, romantic
partnership or friendship and peer-type relationships. When these types
of conditions are present then some form of secure attachment process
occurs that provides inherent safety for all parties within that
relationship. Common characteristics of secure attachment relationships
include; compassion, presence, attunment, resonance, authenticity and
congruency.
A.R.T.© provides the theoretical, therapeutic and
pedagogical underpinnings to our Compassion Based Model of Trauma
Resolution. A.R.T.© also provides the theoretical and therapeutic
underpinnings for our Attachment Relational Therapy©. A.R.T.© has been
developed by the founders of the Workplace Wellbeing Institute, Robyn
Simpson, M. Gestalt Therapy & Gary Simpson, BCouns through their
extensive work as clinical and professional development
trainers/teachers, consultants and psychotherapists through their
continuing professional training with many of the above international
experts (please read our About Us web-page for more details).
Our Compassion Based Model Of Trauma Resolution is underpinned by
Attachment Relational Theory, which is a Compassion-Based, integrative,
person-centred, person-informed, person-directed, strength-based,
relational and trauma-informed therapeutic model of education, care and
practice. The ART© Model of CB-TICP centres on the creation and
maintenance of safety, structure and security within organisations,
services, schools, childcare centres, agencies and Government
Departmentsthat work with and supportstudents, children, young people,
individuals and their families and communities who have experienced, and
or, are exposed to trauma and violence. A.R.T.’s primary message is The
Relationship is the Intervention. (For additional information please
read our CB-TR web-page).
Attachment Relational Therapy
(A.R.T.©): ART© is underpinned by Attachment Relational Theory and is an
integrative, person-centred, person-informed & person-directed,
strength-based, relational and humanistic-orientated mode of therapy,
psychotherapy, counselling and intervention. A basic premise of ART© is
that the person/client is the expert in their lives. Therefore, a
fundamental role of the therapist/helper/carer is to honour, acknowledge
and respect this expertise of the person/client at all times during
intake/treatment/intervention/support.
Another fundamental
premise of A.R.T.©is the role of the Therapeutic Relationship. The
collaborative, non-judgemental and empathetic relationship between
therapist/carer/helper and client/consumer, as the primary vehicle of
effective and long-lasting therapeutic behaviour change and not
necessarily the method or technique of therapy employed. Research over
the past 30-40 years has clearly established that there are 4, what is
termed, "Common Factors" accounting for successful therapeutic outcomes
across all therapeutic modalities (Drisko, 2004; Norcross & Lambert,
2011). Of these 4 Common Factors two are directly reliant on the
therapist. The therapeutic modalities employed during treatment and the
Therapeutic Relationship (Ahn & Wampold, 2001; Duncan, 2001a,
2001b). Out of these 2 Common Factors it is the Therapeutic
Relationship, which is very dependent on the therapist's characteristics
of warmth, flexibility, acceptance & authenticity, which has the
greatest bearing on whether the treatment/intervention will achieve
long-term successful therapeutic outcomes (Lambert & Barley, 2001;
Norcross & Wampold, 2011).
Based on the Common Factors
research, and its clinical applications, and the integral role that the
Therapeutic Relationship plays in achieving long-lasting
therapeutic/behaviour change one of A.R.T.©'sprimary messages is; The
Relationship is the Intervention. Drawing on this relational
intervention concept the therapist/helper/carer begins to become what is
termed a transitional secure attachment figure (Crittenden, Clausen
& Kozlowska, 2007; Crittenden, Farnfield, Landini & Grey, 2013).