A NEW non-profit organisation, the Attachment Foundation, was recently launched in Glenwood, with the aim of providing individuals withinformation and training on evidence-based attachment theory and practices, whether they are raising children, working with children, interested in relationships, or are keen to learn more about themselves.
Alison Lees, a counselling psychologist, together with her colleague, Marietjie Strydom, a social worker and play therapist, founded the organisation through their passion for attachment theory and practice and the positive impact that it can have on the lives of individuals, particularly children.
Explaining the idea behind the organisation, Marietjie said: “Attachment theory is a psychological model that attempts to describe the dynamics of long-term and short-term interpersonal relationships between humans. Everyone does relationships and the results are clear in whether people thrive in life and whether they battle. While working in the UK I saw so much information available on attachment theory, it is so well researched abroad, and we felt we needed to get the information out in South Africa; we needed to bring together professionals and inform people,” she said.
The women said the launch last month was well-received by those present, which included occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists, school representatives, representatives from children’s homes and Christian counsellors.
“The launch went very well and we received positive feedback on what we are trying to achieve. The people attending the launch, who were a diverse crowd of professionals, were all willing to support this initiative,” said Marietjie.
Alison said the foundation would be an online entity, primarily on a social media platform, and the aim was to offer online and personal guidance and advocacy.
“We plan to post blogs frequently and push out articles and news on attachment theory. In the pipeline we hope to offer online training and in person we would like to address people at conferences, courses and workshops and consult in schools and organisations,” she said.
Email alison@attachmentfoundation.org or marietjie@attachmentfoundation.org, visit the website: attachmentfoundation.org .
