The first moments following birth lay the groundwork for deep emotional connections between newborns and their caregivers, facilitating attachment through physical closeness and non-verbal communication. Caregivers express affection through sounds, coos, and soothing gestures, fostering a bond that shapes the infant’s emotional and physiological responses. Infants are sensitive to caregivers’ emotional states, responding to tension and abrupt movements with feelings of fear or distress, which can solidify their attachment style. The early connections formed primarily through right-brain interactions become ingrained as ‘body memories,’ comprising emotional and instinctual responses rather than conscious recollections. Consequently, these attachment styles often reflect adaptations to caregiving environments, shaping lifelong relational behaviors. Research indicates that early attachment experiences significantly inform one’s emotional regulation abilities in adulthood, linking procedural learning to how individuals manage emotional experiences and self-soothing. Each attachment pattern signifies a unique autonomic response; for instance, insecure-avoidant children may withdraw, while insecure-ambivalent children can become overly clingy. In a therapeutic context, clients like Mariela may struggle with attachment issues yet lack explicit memories of formative experiences, leading to confusion about past influences on present behaviors. Their reactions may oscillate between seeking intimacy and retreating due to unconscious patterns rooted in early experiences. Sensorimotor psychotherapy provides a non-verbal approach to addressing attachment issues, focusing on the body’s physiological responses to trauma without the need for direct interventions. This therapy integrates cognitive and emotional elements, leveraging neuroscience research to understand how trauma affects both brain function and bodily responses. During therapy, the therapist shifts from a narrative focus to observing the client’s non-verbal cues and emotional reactions, recognizing that recalling distressing experiences often activates non-verbal brain regions. By paying attention to these responses, therapists can help clients like Mariela comprehend the deeper connection between their body’s memories and their relational dynamics, ultimately supporting healthier ways to engage in relationships by addressing underlying attachment patterns.