My belief is that connection and healthy relationships are fundamental to our wellbeing. The patterns for how we relate to others and behave in relationships are formed during the first few years of our lives. The interactions and connections we have with our primary caregivers’ (birth parents / adopted parents / guardians / carers) shape these patterns. When those first relationships have been difficult or lacking in some way (for any number of reasons), it can negatively impact our own sense of identity, confidence and self esteem, and impact our connections with others. Complex and challenging feelings can arise from unresolved issues in those early years, leading to challenges in many areas of our lives and complicating our interactions with those around us, as well as with ourselves. These factors can also determine how resilient we are and how we manage the ups and downs that life throws at us, including day to day stresses, the end of relationships, loss, death and other changes and challenges.