Abstract

An insecure attachment can have a significant effect on a child's sense of security and development throughout his or her lifetime. This narrative case study explores and discusses how facets of an insecure attachment pattern and the issue of identity are revealed in art therapy. The artwork and symbolic play from sessions are analyzed under the scope of Object Relations and Attachment theories. Symbolic play was incorporated within the art therapy sessions with this child as further means to help identify underlying thoughts and emotions relating to insecure attachment and issues pertaining to identity. The literature review investigates various Attachment theories and how attachment relates to creativity, as well as Identity formation processes, threats to identity and responses to those threats. The results of this case study signify therapeutic growth, and the paper illustrates numerous ways in which issues of insecure attachment and identity can be explored via the therapeutic alliance, artwork, and symbolic play.