VISTAS Online is an innovative publication produced for ACA by Dr. Garry R. Walz and Dr. Jeanne C. Bleuer of Counseling Outfitters, LLC. Its purpose is to provide a means of capturing the ideas, information and experiences generated by the annual ACA Conference and selected ACA Division Conferences. Papers on a program or practice that has been validated through research or experience may also be submitted. This digital collection of peer-reviewed articles is authored by counselors, for counselors. VISTAS Online contains the full text of over 900 proprietary counseling articles published from 2004 to 2017.
2016
Five Counseling Techniques for Increasing Attachment, Intimacy, and Sexual Functioning in Couples
Elisabeth D. Bennett, Jaleh Davari, Jeanette Perales, Annette Perales, Brock Sumner, Gurpreet Gill, and Tin Weng Mak
2016
Attachment literature is rooted in child development with focus on the relationship that develops between infant and caregiver for the first few years of life. Research demonstrates that attachment style and subsequent working models developed in childhood impact later adult relationships, particularly romantic relationships. This paper asserts that both members of a couple bring attachment styles and working models that reciprocally impact sexual functioning and ongoing attachment. Therefore, application of the techniques offered in this paper may increase secure attachment and positive working models that may increase the likelihood of increased intimacy and sexual functioning.