--- title: The Importance of Responding to Baby Cries: Attachment, Trauma, and Healing in Spokane, Washington description: Curated by Destany Schadder, LMHC, LPC, R DMT, MA | Heiser Counseling Responding to a baby’s cries is not just a parenting choice—it is critical for healthy brain development, emotional regulation, an url: https://heisercounseling.com/blog/baby-cries-attachment-trauma-spokane canonical: https://heisercounseling.com/blog/baby-cries-attachment-trauma-spokane date: 2026-02-10 category: Parenting & Family Support author: Destany Schadder, LPC, R-DMT, MA practice: Heiser Counseling --- # The Importance of Responding to Baby Cries: Attachment, Trauma, and Healing in Spokane, Washington **Author:** Destany Schadder, LPC, R-DMT, MA — Licensed Professional Counselor · Registered Dance/Movement Therapist **Published:** February 10, 2026 **Category:** Parenting & Family Support **Source:** [Read on heisercounseling.com](https://heisercounseling.com/blog/baby-cries-attachment-trauma-spokane) > Curated by Destany Schadder, LMHC, LPC, R DMT, MA | Heiser Counseling Responding to a baby’s cries is not just a parenting choice—it is critical for healthy brain development, emotional regulation, an --- Curated by Destany Schadder, LMHC, LPC, R DMT, MA | [Heiser Counseling](https://heisercounseling.com) Responding to a baby’s cries is not just a parenting choice—it is **critical for healthy brain development, emotional regulation, and lifelong attachment**. Babies cry to communicate needs, distress, or discomfort, and how caregivers respond in these early months can shape nervous system development and future mental health. At [**Heiser Counseling**](https://heisercounseling.com) in **Spokane, Washington**, I work with adults healing from childhood trauma and parents who want to provide secure attachment for their children. Understanding early attachment science helps prevent long-term emotional difficulties and supports generational healing. ### Why Babies Cry and How Caregivers Shape Development Babies cry because it is their primary form of communication. Crying signals: - Hunger or thirst - Pain or illness - Fear or discomfort - Need for connection or attention Research shows that **consistent, loving responses to infant cries build secure attachment**, teach emotional regulation, and reduce stress hormones like cortisol (Bowlby, 1988; Gunnar & Quevedo, 2007). **Q: Why is responding to a baby’s cries important?**  Ans: Responding to a baby’s cries helps infants feel safe, develop secure attachment, regulate emotions, and support healthy brain growth. ### Attachment Theory and Emotional Health Attachment theory explains how early caregiving experiences create patterns that influence lifelong emotional and social functioning. - **Secure attachment:** develops when caregivers consistently respond with warmth and presence. - **Insecure attachment:** develops when caregivers are inconsistent, emotionally unavailable, or neglectful. - **Disorganized attachment:** can occur with abuse or severe neglect, often leading to difficulty trusting others and regulating emotions. At[ **Heiser Counseling**](https://heisercounseling.com) in Spokane, I help adults recognize how these early patterns affect their current relationships, self-esteem, and emotional regulation. **Q: What happens if caregivers ignore a baby’s cries?** Ans: Ignoring baby cries can disrupt attachment, elevate stress hormones, and increase the risk of emotional and relational difficulties later in life. ### How Childhood Trauma Affects Adults Childhood emotional neglect, inconsistent caregiving, or early attachment disruptions often leave lasting nervous system patterns. Adults who experienced neglect may struggle with: - Anxiety or chronic stress - Emotional numbness or detachment - Difficulty trusting or connecting with others - Fear of abandonment or intimacy - Trauma triggers or hypervigilance - Low self-worth or people-pleasing behaviors At[ **Heiser Counseling**](https://heisercounseling.com) in Spokane, Washington, I provide trauma-informed therapy for adults to help them: - Identify attachment patterns - Process childhood trauma safely - Develop emotional regulation skills - Heal relational wounds - Rewire nervous system responses - Build secure and healthy adult relationships **Q:** **Can adults heal from childhood emotional neglect?**  Ans: Yes. Adults can heal through trauma-informed therapy, attachment-based counseling, and somatic approaches. Healing allows improved relationships, self-regulation, and emotional resilience. ### Therapy Approaches I Use in Spokane, Washington At [**Heiser Counseling**](https://heisercounseling.com), my Spokane-based practice specializes in: - **Attachment-based therapy:** Healing relational wounds and building secure adult attachment. - **Trauma-informed therapy:** Processing childhood neglect and abuse safely. - **Somatic therapy:** Releasing trauma stored in the nervous system and body. - **Parent coaching:** Supporting caregivers to respond effectively to infant cries and promote secure attachment. **Q:** **What therapy helps with childhood emotional neglect?**  Ans: Attachment-based therapy, trauma-informed counseling, somatic therapy, and supportive relationships are proven to help adults heal from childhood neglect. ### Supporting Parents: Preventing Attachment Trauma Parents in Spokane, Washington, can actively prevent attachment trauma by learning: - How infant brain development works - Why responding to cries builds emotional security - How to co-regulate emotions with your child - How to break generational trauma patterns - How to provide warmth, touch, and emotional presence When parents respond consistently and lovingly, **they are nurturing their child’s emotional brain and creating a secure foundation for lifelong emotional health**. **Q:** **Should parents respond to every cry?**  Ans: Yes. Responsive caregiving supports secure attachment, emotional regulation, and brain development. Occasional crying is normal, but chronic neglect has negative long-term effects. ### Recommended Books for Parents and Adults Healing Trauma Reading evidence-based books supports both parents and adults in understanding trauma and attachment. Here are therapist-recommended resources: - **The Motherhood Complex – Suzi Tutora** 👉[ https://amzn.to/3ZvtIkJ](https://amzn.to/3ZvtIkJ) - **The Whole-Brain Child – Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson** 👉[ https://amzn.to/4bN6Bto](https://amzn.to/4bN6Bto) - **Hold On to Your Kids – Gordon Neufeld & Gabor Maté** 👉[ https://amzn.to/4bGytPI](https://amzn.to/4bGytPI) - **Attached – Amir Levine & Rachel Heller** 👉[ https://amzn.to/4ckFtSs](https://amzn.to/4ckFtSs) - **The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk** These books provide insight into infant attachment, trauma healing, and how early experiences shape adult relationships. At **Heiser Counseling in Spokane**, I often integrate these resources into therapy for both adults and parents. ### Breaking Generational Trauma Cycles Trauma can be passed down through caregiving behaviors and emotional patterns. However, trauma is **not destiny**. Parents who respond to baby cries with empathy and presence **actively break cycles of neglect**, creating healthier emotional legacies for their children. **Q:** **Can parents heal their own trauma while parenting?**  Ans: Yes. Parents can heal past attachment wounds while learning responsive caregiving, which benefits both themselves and their children. ### Get Trauma and Attachment Therapy in Spokane, Washington If you are an adult healing from childhood trauma or a parent seeking to build secure attachment with your child, professional support can make a profound difference. Learn more about trauma-informed therapy, attachment counseling, and parent coaching at: 👉[ **Heiser Counseling**](https://heisercounseling.com) – Spokane, Washington ### References - Bowlby, J. (1988). **A secure base: Parent-child attachment and healthy human development**. Basic Books. - Gunnar, M., & Quevedo, K. (2007). **The neurobiology of stress and development**. *Annual Review of Psychology*. - Schadder, D. (2026). **Professional insights on infant attachment and somatic therapy**. Heiser Counseling. ### **FAQ Section:** **Q: Should I let my baby “cry it out”?**  A: Current attachment research suggests that responsive caregiving is more beneficial for long-term emotional regulation than leaving an infant to cry without comfort. **Q: Where can I find attachment therapy in Spokane?**  A: Destany Schadder at Heiser Counseling specializes in attachment and somatic therapy for individuals in the Spokane area. --- ## About the Author **Destany Schadder, LPC, R-DMT, MA** is a Licensed Professional Counselor (Texas) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Washington State), and a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist. She specializes in trauma, anxiety, somatic therapy, and EMDR. Heiser Counseling is based in Austin, TX with telehealth services across Texas and Washington State. - [About Destany](https://heisercounseling.com/about) - [Services](https://heisercounseling.com/services) - [Request an Appointment](https://heisercounseling.com/connect) - [AI Content Disclosure](https://heisercounseling.com/ai-disclosure)