Holding Therapy

Holding therapy (HT) is generally used to treat aggressive children and children with autism. HT utilizes techniques such as eye contact, therapeutic physical holding, psychodrama or reenactment, inner child metaphor, and cognitive restructuring.

There is considerable controversy surrounding HT, with many psychologists, therapists, and related mental health professionals suggesting that it may not be an effective intervention and that it has potential for harm. HT has sketchy theoretical foundations, appears to misapply psychological principles, lacks empirical research and accompanying literature, and has been criticized as having the potential to cause harm to children. Although it shares some theoretical attributes with attachment therapy, it is considered a far cry from this more traditional and sensitive approach to working with children.