17. What is Containment and Why is it Important?

In Episode 17 we discuss the importance of healthy containment in our families of origin.   Containment is a process that helps children feel safe involving the emotional support that adults give children. Healthy containment helps develop a strong attachment to our caregivers.  It is especially important when the child expresses emotions that the parent may not be comfortable with. 

When containment was not experienced you developed ways of coping which have impact in adulthood.   How did your mother or father respond to your big emotions?  Containment is the catalyst between attunement and repair.  It is in this space, the container, where we were either attuned to or missed - leading to rupture and thus needing repair.