Holding Therapy
Holding therapy is known by a variety of other names including attachment holding therapy, cuddle time, direct synchronous bonding, gentle containment, holding time, mother-child holding therapy and the Welch method.
Holding therapy is a form of attachment therapy, which consists of forced holding by a therapist or parent until the child stops resisting or until a fixed time period has elapsed
The carer does not usually release her or his hold until the child 'surrenders' and looks into the carer's eyes.
The carer then returns the child's gaze and exchanges affection. It has been fiercely criticised by individuals with autism spectrum disorders and others, following a number of incidents in which children were seriously harmed.
Related Glossaries
- Affective Atunement
- Attachment Holding Therapy
- Attachment Therapy
- Cuddle Time
- Direct Synchronous Bonding
- Dydadic Support Environment
- Emotional Shuttling
- Gentle Containment
- Holding Time
- Welch Method
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This glossary is designed to explain some of the jargon and gobbledygook used by some people when they talk about autism or research..
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The fact that an intervention is listed in this glossary does not necessarily mean that we agree with its use. Nor does it necessarily mean that there is any scientifically valid or reliable evidence behind it.