attachment, or the attachment bond, is the emotional connection you formed as an infant with your primary caregiver—probably your mother. by identifying your attachment style, you can learn to challenge your insecurities, develop a more securely attached way of relating to others, and build stronger, healthier, and more fulfilling relationships. identifying these patterns can then help you clarify what you need in a relationship and the best way to overcome problems. the strong foundation of a secure attachment bond enabled …

our office of equity, diversity, and inclusion works to create an inclusive environment that values diversity in academic medicine. read about the world of psychiatric research, education, and patient care—and see what’s happening here at columbia pyschiatry. relationship attachment styles are a hot topic these days, thanks in large part to the research of amir levine, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist at columbia university. people with anxious attachment styles tend to be insecure about their relationships, fear abandonment, and often seek …

my girlfriend and i have been dating for a couple of years but we don’t yet live together. but eventually, we had to go back to our own apartments, and it’s been like that for some time now. in the days apart, i miss her so much that it hurts. heller, is a study of adult attachment, or the different ways we experience our relationship to intimacy. avoidant partners are more self-reliant and see intimacy as a threat to their …

do you have a strained or complicated relationship with your mother? she might have even made the choice to leave you with your other parent because she thought it would give you the best possible life. if your mother spent a lot of time pinpointing your flaws or critiquing your appearance, you might have a lot of shame and insecurity as an adult. when your mother is available to meet most of your physical and emotional needs from the get-go, …

or maybe you wanted some sympathy after a bad day at work, only to hear your partner criticize you. how do you fix a relationship problem? you need to see them and soothe them as a couple, so they resolve. amy wanted to keep just those things around the house they needed and used now. now amy doesn’t feel free to speak up about the “clutter” issue, though it still bothers her. but as a therapist trained in emotionally focused …