Attachment, Regulation, & Competency (ARC) Therapy
ARC therapy is practiced in Kitchener-Waterloo, Milton, Oakville, London and the surrounding areas. Anchoridge Counselling takes pride in the therapy practice offered to help clients with individual needs.
A Trauma-Informed Framework for Healing and Growth
Children and adolescents who have experienced complex trauma often struggle with emotional regulation, forming safe relationships, and building a sense of self. Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) Therapy is a highly effective, evidence-based framework designed to support healing and development in children and teens impacted by trauma, adversity, or disrupted attachment.
At Anchoridge Counselling Services, we use ARC to help young people and their caregivers reconnect, grow emotional resilience, and develop the skills needed to thrive.
What is ARC Therapy?
ARC (Attachment, Regulation, and Competency) is a trauma-informed treatment model developed for children, youth, and families who have experienced complex trauma, such as:
1. Abuse or neglect
2. Witnessing violence
3. Family disruption or instability
4. Systemic trauma (e.g., intergenerational trauma, poverty, racism)
ARC focuses on strengthening the core domains that trauma disrupts:
1. Attachment – building safe, trusting relationships
2. Regulation – learning to manage and express emotions effectively
3. Competency – developing skills for resilience, identity, and healthy functioning
Rather than focusing on symptoms alone, ARC creates a developmental pathway toward healing — supporting the child within the context of their environment and relationships.
Who Can Benefit from ARC Therapy?
1. Children and teens with histories of trauma or attachment disruptions
2. Youth in foster care, adoption, or who have experienced early adversity
3. Families navigating emotional and behavioural challenges
4. Caregivers seeking to better understand and support their child’s emotional world
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What to Expect in ARC Therapy
1. Attachment
- Building safety and connection between child and caregiver
- Promoting secure, attuned relationships
- Supporting caregivers in becoming consistent sources of emotional support
2. Regulation
- Teaching the child to identify and manage big emotions
- Developing body awareness and self-soothing strategies
- Building co-regulation between child and caregiver
3. Competency
- Helping the child develop self-awareness, decision-making, and confidence
- Encouraging goal setting and age-appropriate responsibility
- Supporting healthy identity development
Why Choose ARC?
- Children who have faced trauma often behave in ways that reflect adaptations to unsafe environments. ARC doesn’t pathologize these responses — it helps children and families make meaning of them, build safety, and move forward with strength and confidence.
If your child or teen is struggling with the impacts of trauma or disrupted attachment, ARC Therapy can support their journey toward safety, connection, and resilience.
Many of our clinicians incorporate this therapy approach in their practice. A few are listed below, but to explore more options and find your best match, we recommend booking a free 15-minute intake consultation.
