What does "attachment theory" emphasize in therapy?

Attachment theory emphasizes the significance of early relational experiences, particularly the bonds formed between caregivers and children, and how these relationships influence an individual’s emotional health and interpersonal dynamics throughout life. In therapy, understanding a client's attachment style—be it secure, anxious, avoidant, or disorganized—allows therapists to address how past attachment experiences shape the client's current behaviors and relationship patterns. By focusing on these foundational experiences, therapists can help clients recognize how their early attachments impact their adult relationships, choices, and emotional responses, ultimately guiding them toward healthier ways of relating to others and themselves.

While the other options present valuable aspects of psychological understanding, they do not capture the essence of attachment theory, which is centered around relational history rather than immediate behavioral responses, biological factors, or coping strategies.