What Is Attachment Trauma? Signs You May Still Be Carrying It as an Adult

Erika Baum
Aug 28
4 min read

Updated: Sep 16

Disclaimer: Apparently, I have to add this, this site shares general information and ideas — not therapy, professional advice, or mental health treatment. Reading here does not make me your therapist (imagine the paperwork if it did). As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ‘A mind stretched by new ideas never returns to its original dimension.’ That’s the spirit of what you’ll find here. Read on, my friend.

When we think about trauma, most people picture a single painful event—a car accident, a natural disaster, or an act of violence. But trauma can also come from the relationships that were supposed to make us feel safe. This is called attachment trauma, and for many adults, it’s the hidden wound that explains why relationships, self-worth, and trust feel so difficult.

In my Denver counseling practice, I specialize in helping clients heal from attachment trauma, CPTSD, and relationship wounds. Understanding what attachment trauma is—and how it shows up later in life—is a crucial step toward healing.

What Is Attachment Trauma?

Attachment trauma happens when the bond between a child and their caregiver is disrupted, unsafe, or inconsistent. Children need secure, loving, and attuned caregiving to develop a sense of safety in the world. When caregivers are abusive, neglectful, emotionally unavailable, or unpredictable, the child’s nervous system learns that relationships are unsafe.

This isn’t just “bad parenting.” It’s trauma—and it can leave deep imprints that last into adulthood, often shaping how we see ourselves, how we connect with others, and even how our bodies respond to stress.

Signs You May Still Be Carrying Attachment Trauma as an Adult

Attachment trauma doesn’t just disappear with age. Instead, it often shows up in subtle but painful ways. Some signs include:

Difficulty trusting others – always waiting for the other shoe to drop in relationships.
Fear of abandonment – feeling anxious if someone pulls away or doesn’t respond quickly.
Avoidance of closeness – pushing people away or feeling uncomfortable with intimacy.
Low self-worth – believing you are “too much” or “not enough.”
People-pleasing patterns – putting others’ needs ahead of your own to feel safe.
Emotional reactivity – intense triggers in relationships, sometimes linked to childhood wounds.
Chronic loneliness – feeling disconnected even when surrounded by others.

If these resonate with you, it may be a sign that unresolved attachment wounds are still shaping your adult life.

Attachment Trauma and Complex PTSD (CPTSD)

Many people with attachment trauma also meet the criteria for Complex PTSD (CPTSD). Unlike single-event PTSD, CPTSD develops from repeated, long-term trauma—often in the context of relationships and caregiving. Symptoms of CPTSD include emotional flashbacks, deep shame, and difficulty regulating emotions, all of which overlap with attachment trauma.

Healing Attachment Trauma Through Therapy

The good news is that attachment trauma can be healed. With the right support, adults can rewire their nervous systems, build secure connections, and learn new ways of relating to themselves and others.

In my Denver trauma therapy practice, I use evidence-based approaches like:

EMDR Therapy – helping the brain reprocess painful memories and reduce emotional reactivity.
IFS Therapy (Internal Family Systems) – working with parts of the self that hold trauma and shame.
Attachment-Focused Counseling – rebuilding trust, safety, and secure relational patterns.
Somatic Practices – calming the nervous system and creating safety in the body.

Healing doesn’t mean erasing the past—it means learning how to live with more freedom, safety, and connection in the present.

Denver Trauma Therapy for Attachment & Relationship Healing

If you recognize yourself in these signs, you’re not alone. Many adults carry attachment wounds and CPTSD without realizing that their struggles with intimacy, trust, and self-worth trace back to early trauma.

Therapy offers a safe space to explore these patterns and begin the process of healing. As a Denver trauma therapist, I specialize in helping clients untangle the effects of attachment trauma, rebuild a sense of safety, and learn how to form healthier, more secure connections.

Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to start healing from attachment trauma or CPTSD in Denver, I invite you to reach out for a consultation. Together, we can create a path toward deeper healing, healthier relationships, and a stronger connection to yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions About Attachment Trauma

1. Can attachment trauma be healed?

Yes. While attachment wounds run deep, therapy can help adults create new patterns, build secure connections, and release old survival strategies. Approaches like EMDR, IFS, and attachment-focused counseling are highly effective for healing.

2. What therapy works best for attachment trauma and CPTSD?

Many clients benefit from EMDR therapy, IFS (parts work), and somatic approaches, especially when integrated with an attachment-focused lens. The key is working with a trauma-informed therapist who understands the impact of relational wounds.

3. How do I know if my struggles are from attachment trauma?

If you notice repeated patterns in relationships—such as fear of abandonment, people-pleasing, avoiding closeness, or chronic self-doubt—it may stem from unresolved attachment trauma. A trauma therapist can help you explore this safely.

4. Is attachment trauma the same as PTSD?

Not exactly. PTSD often develops from a single traumatic event, while attachment trauma and CPTSD usually come from ongoing relational wounds in childhood. The symptoms overlap but the roots are different.

5. Why should I seek therapy in Denver for attachment trauma?

Working with a local Denver trauma therapist gives you access to consistent, personalized support in your community. Finding someone trained in attachment, EMDR, and CPTSD ensures you’ll receive care tailored to your unique needs.