You might notice recurring patterns in relationships—such as worrying that others will leave, feeling uncomfortable with closeness, or shutting down when emotions get intense. You may also replay old emotional wounds even when you know the current situation is different.

Taking a free quiz at The Attachment Project can help you identify your style and learn more.

Yes. Attachment patterns develop early, but they’re not set in stone. With awareness and consistent, safe relationships—including therapy—you can develop a more secure attachment style. This means learning to trust, regulate emotions, communicate needs, and feel more grounded in yourself and your relationships.

Emotionally immature parents often struggle to manage their own feelings or respond consistently to their child’s needs. They may be loving but unpredictable, critical, withdrawn, or self-focused. Growing up with this can teach you to ignore your needs, over-function for others, or fear closeness. Therapy helps you unlearn those patterns and reconnect with your authentic emotional self.

• Trauma often refers to one specific event that overwhelms your sense of safety.

• Complex trauma (C-PTSD) involves repeated or ongoing stress—like emotional neglect, unstable caregiving, or abuse—that lasts for years.

Even as adults, people with complex trauma may struggle with emotional regulation, self-criticism, trust, and feeling safe in relationships. Healing is absolutely possible with the right support.

Therapy offers a safe relationship where you can:

• Recognize how old patterns show up today

• Learn to regulate emotions and reduce anxiety

• Develop self-compassion and a stronger sense of self

• Practice new ways of relating—trusting, expressing, and connecting safely

Through mindfulness, insight, and supportive exploration, you can move from surviving to thriving—feeling more secure, calm, and connected in your life and relationships.

Therapy to heal attachment and trauma wounds typically consists of weekly 55-minute sessions, although sometimes more frequent sessions are beneficial.

Dr. Sierra will integrate traditional talk therapy with more active, structured skills-building exercises.

Dr. Sierra will help gain insight into how your past experiences shaped you and impacted your internal world and external relationships.

Dr. Sierra will also help you identify the adaptive and protective coping strategies you developed early in life to cope with difficult situations. She will help you determine which strategies you can let go of, which ones to maintain, and which ones can be tweaked to serve you better.

Therapy is driven by establishing safety, building trust, collaborating, communicating honestly, and pacing healing at a rate that is right for you.