Self-Regulation in the Repair of an Adolescent Boy’s Early Insecure Attachment

Donald Beatrice

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.

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