The Power of Connection: Attachment Theory and the Practice of Restorative Justice

Our understanding of what it means to be human is undergoing rapid change. We are learning that humans use emotion and patterns of connection and disconnection to navigate the world. Discoveries from neuroscience and research from attachment theory have paved the way for more effective practitioner intervention in situations of conflict. These discoveries both shift and sharpen our understanding of how change happens and are crucial for effective intervention in situations of conflict and restoration. Annmarie Early, Ph.D., LMFT, is professor of counseling in the Master of Arts in Counseling program at Eastern Mennonite University.