Attachment-Focused Trauma Therapy for Adults (AFTT-A) facilitates healthier functioning and attachment patterns for adult clients. This model uses a multimodal, step-by-step approach to restructuring the internal personality system to reclaim the authentic “Self” by providing new attachment experiences for “Child” parts of Self and negotiating new adult-life roles. AFTT-A orients all inner personality components to the present moment in which unmet childhood needs for nurturing and protection can be met within clients themselves. The EMDR protocol accesses and activates the client’s own strengths, creating an internal system of resources and using bilateral stimulation (BLS) to deepen positive affective shifts.
“Kintsugi or “golden joinery” is the Japanese
process of transforming
The AFTT-A/EMDR protocol was created by Ann E. Potter and Debra Wesselmann and they adopted Kintsugi as a wonderful metaphor for this work. “Kintsugi or “golden joinery” is the Japanese process of transforming broken pottery… into unique works of art that reflect strength and resilience…. The goal is… not to return the pottery piece to its original state or hide the damage done but to highlight, accent and even celebrate and show pride in the “scars” of the piece history…
One of the most powerful lessons from Kintsugi is that clients who face their brokenness do not stay broken…are capable of living their present-day lives through their most Authentic Self.” *
* Ann E. Potter and Debra Wesselmann