| This thesis explores whether the coach-athlete relationship can be viewed as a relationship of attachment within which one can develop self-awareness, self-regulation, response flexibility, and resilience. Using hermeneutic and heuristic methodology, the findings suggest that an attachment-based approach to coaching can help coaches and athletes update their internalized models of attachment and move toward greater attachment security and earned security. Developing and integrating the brain structures associated with secure attachment, such as the insula and the right hemisphere of the brain, can lead to resilience, mental toughness, and performance enhancement in sport. Drawing from the literature on attachment, interpersonal neuroscience, and sport psychology, this thesis proposes a new model for training athletes called Attachment Based Coaching (ABC). ABC methods focus on attunement, resonance, contingent communication, breath, meditation, and mindfulness as well as interventions based on the psychological skills training approaches of relaxation, goal setting, imagery, and self-talk. |
