There are several implications for school counselors to note when considering Ainsworth’s attachment theory while in a professional role. The one’s that come to mind are: context of the students, identifying attachment behaviors, proactive education, abuse indicators to early signs of abuse, assessment data for a comprehensive program, and in the case one finds themselves with a pregnant or soon to be parent as teenagers.
It is relevant for a school counselor when in a one on one counseling sessions to be aware of a student’s direct context and environment that they are immersed in. Knowing how a child grew up and the type of parenting they had could impact the success of counseling for these students. It will also permit an opportunity to provide the best direct services possible for a student. It can also help to explain student’s behavior and can help to empathize with a student who may have a difficult time growing up because of their insecure attachments.
Being aware of attachment behaviors is also important for a school counselor to know. If one is a school counselor on the high school level, it may be noticed that a student may be more inclined to get into unhealthy relationships that can lead to many different forms of abuse. Due to their insecure attachment and lack of healthy relationships modeled by their own primary caregiver, it may be helpful to notice the specific attachment behaviors that coincide with their insecure attachment. It is important to note that not all insecure attachments are formed out of abuse, but it is something that school counselors should be aware of as they witness and observe behaviors of students who show them in school.
It would be wise of school counselors to have questions in a needs assessment that could provide insight to students who may be dealing with Type A or Type C attachments. In doing so, one could preemptively create programming that can meet the comprehensive needs of the student body. Through the needs assessment one could develop proactive psychoeducation that could help counteract some of the insecure attachment tendencies. It can also help identify if a student is in need of more extensive treatment beyond the scope of capabilities for a school counselor.
The final point to be made is if a school counselor runs across the situation of a teenage pregnancy. It is important to walk with this student through their transition into parenthood, assuming they are going to keep the child, and talk to them about the importance of the attachment the child will have with this student. Through this education one can help in the process of creating a healthy, secure attachment.
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