This may lead their attachment figure to get a clearer grasp on their needs and the appropriate response to their attachment behaviours.

In childhood this information would include emotions provoked by the unexplained absence of an attachment figure.

Insecurely attached individuals either defensively minimize closeness seeking behaviors or maximize behaviors to become closer to attachment figure.

By middle childhood, the goal of the attachment behavioural system has changed from proximity to the attachment figure to availability.

The goals of therapy include providing a way to process unmet and unresolved relationship needs with parental attachment figures and reorganising belief systems.