Donald, Beatrice
SELF-REGULATION IN THE REPAIR OF AN ADOLESCENT BOY’S EARLY INSECURE ATTACHMENT

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 12, Number 1, 2003

KEY WORDS: sandplay therapy, clinical example, anxiety, insecure, attachment, self-regulation, adolescent, regulation, dysregulation, ego development, ego-self, connection.

ABSTRACT: This article tracks the healing process of a 12-year-old boy with a history of early trauma. It introduces the neurophysiological dimensions of attachment from Allan N. Schore’s research into the brain function that governs self-regulation activity necessary for normal emotional development. The author parallels Schore’s findings regarding self-regulation to Jungian theory as it relates to the role of the Self in the ego-strengthening process. This sandplay case reflects the boy’s growing ability to experience his emotions as less threatening, allowing him a sense of greater resilience as he entered the adolescent developmental phase of identity formation and adaptation to the collective.