Circle of Security® Parenting™

The Circle of Security® is a visual map of attachment and is central to the  COSP™ program.

The Circle of Security® is underpinned by the following founding principles:

• Attachment problems in infancy and early childhood increase the probability of psychopathology later on in life.
• Secure attachment relationships with caregivers are a protective factor for infants and      preschoolers, setting the foundation for social competence and promoting effective functioning of the emotion regulation and stress response systems.
• The quality of the attachment relationship is amenable to change.
• Learning, including therapeutic change, occurs from within a secure base relationship.
• Lasting change in the attachment relationship comes from caregivers’ developing specific relationship capacities rather than learning techniques to manage      behaviour.
• All caregivers want what is best for their children.

           (Circle of Security International, 2023)

For more information on the co-originators of the Circle of Security®, please visit: https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/the-co-originators/

The concept of attachment stems from British psychologist John Bowlby's attachment theory, which was further expanded upon by Mary Ainsworth and later others. It represents the emotional bonds and relationship formed between infants and their primary caregivers.

Decades of research advocate that early connections have a profound impact on a child's emotional and social development throughout their life.

A secure attachment develops as a result of caregivers consistently responding to their child's needs. A secure foundation enables children to explore the world and return to their caregiver as needed.

The COSP™ program helps caregivers to understand and respond to their children's needs. As such, this supports the development of a secure attachment. A secure attachment can help children develop emotional security, postive self-esteem, better social skills, effective emotional regulation, a safe base to explore and learn, and resilience. This helps families to build stronger bonds, improve communication, reduce stress, and encourages positive, supportive caregiving and family culture.

I encourage you to watch the 'Why COSP™: A Path to Good Enough' video created by Circle of Security International, located above FAQ.

If you have further questions following the video, please email melissa@innerwisdomcounsellingandwellbeing.com.au or call 0481 397 505.

COSP™ is conducted as a group program. Each session covers a new COSP™ topic, and each participant is provided resources to refer to each session and throughout the rest of their parenting journey. Each session provides the opportunity to put your knowledge and understanding into action before the following session. COSP™ is largely reflective and brings new ways to look at parenting and caregiving. As such, this can sometimes be difficult to see the whole picture until you complete the program. You will be fully supported the entire process.

If you prefer to complete the program 1:1, please email to discuss available dates and times. Please note 1:1 is conducted as 60 minute sessions over 8 weeks at $666.

Note. All sessions must be attended to complete the program. You will receive a certificate of completion at the end.

For online programs, you will require Internet connection, a device with camera, speaker and microphone, and a web browser that supports Teams.

The sessions are not recorded due to the sensitive nature of discussions and for privacy reasons. As such, if a session is missed, you will need to contact me to organise a time to catch up on the missed content. This will be conducted as a brief overview rather than a detailed session due to the timeliness of progression of the group program.

If you would like to complete the program as a duo, this is permitted and encouraged. Completing the program together offers the opportunity for both parties to understand Circle of Security Parenting™ and allows you to move forward together, facilitating a consistent parenting approach for your child/children. Partner enrolment is available within the online booking tool and is offered at a heavily discounted rate; if you wish to request partner enrolment after the initial booking, please email melissa@innerwisdomcounsellingandwellbeing.com.au.

Therapy. Whilst the COSP™ program can be utilised as an adjunct to therapy, particularly when families are dealing with complex emotional or behavioural challenges, it is more accurately described as a reflective and educative parenting support program. It is specifically designed to help caregivers understand and respond to their children's needs, enhance their parenting skills, and foster secure attachment.

A behaviour management course. The COSP™ is not a quick fix, a list of strategies for modifying or controlling specific behaviours, nor a rigid set of rules or a one-size fits all approach. The COSP™ program focuses on supporting parents to understand the underlying      emotional needs behind a child's behaviour, so parents can learn to respond in a sensitive and nurturing manner. In saying that, by promoting secure attachment and strengthening communication between parents and their children, the COSP™ program can indirectly contribute to improved behaviour and emotional regulation in children.