Attachment Need Words — Session activity

0–5 min | Agree on purpose and fit

Explain the educational scope. Ask what would be useful, check readiness and access needs, and establish choices to observe, adapt, or pass. Use an ordinary example; do not solicit trauma narratives.

5–10 min | Orient with an example

A need for connection can be stated without demanding a specific response. Fictional example: Alex wants a brief message when plans change. Ask what is observed and what remains uncertain.

10–20 min | Practice and compare

Translate an ordinary complaint into a feeling and a request for reassurance, accessibility, or clearer contact. Offer quiet individual work, a supported conversation, or an observing role. Compare two possible responses without evaluating people as right or wrong.

20–25 min | Reflect on meaning

What request feels specific, voluntary, and answerable? Ask what fit, what did not fit, and how culture, power, disability access, or external conditions affect the options.

25–30 min | Integrate and close

Invite one optional next step or support request. Orient to the current setting, allow an unfinished question to remain unfinished, and agree how to revisit it. End early or adapt if activation increases.

Adaptations

For a group, use fiction and no compulsory round-robin disclosure. For remote use, allow off-camera reflection and private notes. For brief use, keep one example and one question while retaining opening and closing choices.

Prompts for this resource

1. What outcome would make this practice useful?
2. What request feels specific, voluntary, and answerable?
3. What adaptation or follow-up is needed?