Integrative Attachment Family Therapy

A stronger bond between parents and children can repair family dynamics.

Integrated attachment family therapy (IAFT), developed by family therapy expert Dafna Lender, is a multidimensional framework that heals and strengthens attachment issues in the parent-child relationship. Grounded within the principles of Theraplay, dyadic development psychotherapy, and polyvagal theory, this powerful framework addresses a variety of problematic and difficult behaviors in children (e.g., frequent arguments and tantrums, disobedience, and indifference) as well as reactive behaviors in parents (e.g., yelling, pleading, threatening, and giving up or giving in).

How does it work? Rather than attempting to “fix” the child – fixing their anger issues or defiance, for instance - IAFT treats the underlying cause of family strife: a misalignment in the parent-child relationship where the child does not feel deeply understood or accepted. By focusing on the physiologic sense of safety and connection between the parent and child, IAFT helps clinicians uncover the reasons for this misalignment so they can guide families toward the source of the issue rather than focusing on superficial behaviors. With its innovative, yet accessible, play-based activities and interventions, IAFT transforms families into happy and well-functioning environments where children thrive and parents feel satisfied in their role.