On Attachment

Attachment theory occupies an integrative position between psychodynamic therapy and various perspectives within empirical psychology. Since therapy began, its way of thinking has been to interpret mental processes in relation to meaningful psychological objects between children and parents, partners, friends, and within individual therapy. This volume summarises the research literature relating to attachment theory in developmental psychology in order to clarify conclusions that support practice. Part 1 considers the received wisdom about attachment, and summarises the literature and what it means for understanding relationships and defences as part of development. Part 2 considers attachment in relation to emotional regulations, while part 3 applies the clarified understanding of attachment processes to inform assessment and therapy, and more broadly, mental health work in general. The ideas of Sigmund Freud and John Bowlby are used to reinvigorate psychodynamic practice.

Ian Rory Owen

Preface , The Received Wisdom about Attachment , Introduction to Part I , Attachment phenomena and their background , The standard interpretation and its processes , Psychodynamics, motivation, and defence , The Role of Attachment in Reducing Distress , Introduction to Part II , Meta-representation and motivation , The good life is correcting imbalance , Achieving rebalance , Increasing Security as a Condition of Successful Therapy , Introduction to Part III , Psychodynamics of attaching , Attachment processes in assessment , Some complex cases , Conclusion: therapy as secure process