Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP)
Unlocking the Hidden Narratives of Attachment Trauma
The Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP) is a cutting-edge, research-backed assessment tool that uncovers deep-seated attachment patterns by exploring how individuals interpret a series of evocative images. Developed by Dr. Carol George and Dr. Malcolm West, the AAP is designed to assess unconscious mental representations of attachment—particularly in the context of attachment trauma and loss.
Where traditional self-report questionnaires and clinical interviews rely on conscious self-reflection, the AAP provides a free-response method that reveals defensive processing strategies and unresolved attachment distress. This makes it a valuable tool for individuals seeking profound insight into their underlying relational patterns.
Why the AAP?
Unlike other adult attachment assessments, the AAP is uniquely suited to identify attachment trauma and defenses against it. Many individuals who have experienced early emotional neglect, caregiver unavailability, or inconsistent protection do not have explicit memories of their attachment wounds. Instead, these experiences are encoded in implicit emotional scripts that influence their behavior and relationships in ways they might not consciously recognize.
By analyzing the narratives participants create in response to AAP images, trained professionals can assess:
Unconscious defensive strategies that suppress or distort painful attachment experiences
Indicators of unresolved trauma, including Failed Mourning, emotional detachment, and disorganization
Capacity for connection, emotional regulation, and relational resilience
Attachment-related fears, avoidance strategies, and inner conflicts
This makes the AAP a powerful intervention tool, especially for individuals struggling with chronic relational distress, emotional numbness, or self-protective detachment.
The Science Behind the AAP
Rooted in John Bowlby’s attachment theory and decades of research, the AAP builds on the premise that when mourning processes are blocked or unresolved, they create lasting emotional imprints. These imprints often manifest as persistent relational difficulties, difficulties with intimacy, chronic anxiety, or an inability to trust others.
Failed Mourning and the AAP
Bowlby emphasized that mourning the loss of an attachment figure is an essential process for emotional healing. However, when a caregiver is not emotionally present or attuned, the natural grieving process is disrupted—leading to a profound disconnection from emotions. This phenomenon, termed Failed Mourning, is a core focus of the AAP.
One case example involves a middle aged client who, after decades of therapy, was finally able to identify his early attachment experiences as traumatic through the AAP assessment. His lifelong struggles with emotional detachment and persistent anxiety were linked to defensive processes that had shielded him from experiencing the pain of his caregivers' chronic emotional unavailability. By making these unconscious processes explicit, the AAP became a catalyst for transformation in therapy.
Who Can Benefit from the AAP?
The Adult Attachment Projective is particularly valuable for individuals who:
🔹 Struggle with emotionally distant or chaotic relationships
🔹 Have difficulty accessing or expressing emotions
🔹 Feel chronically disconnected from themselves or others
🔹 Experience unexplained sadness, shame, or fear
🔹 Have a history of early caregiver inconsistency, neglect, or trauma
The AAP is used in therapeutic assessment to help clients make sense of their attachment histories and pave the way for meaningful healing and attachment repair.
Experience the AAP at Mindful Attachment Coaching
At Mindful Attachment Coaching, we integrate the Adult Attachment Projective into a comprehensive assessment and attachment repair process, helping clients gain deeper self-awareness and emotional clarity.
Want to explore your attachment patterns in depth?
Book a session to experience the AAP and receive personalized guidance on your Attachment Repair Journey