Implications of attachment theory for working in psychoanalytic psychotherapy

Abstract

John Bowlby's Attachment Theory is being increasingly operationalised in the world of developmental research, but as yet its implications for clinical work are relatively less discussed. This paper addresses the issue of the measurement of attachment patterns and how knowledge of these can inform psychoanalysts’ work with their patients. It looks at the implications of Attachment Theory at all stages of the therapeutic process, but concentrates particularly on how it can help with the crucial phase of building the working alliance.

Keywords:

• Attachment style
• internal working models of relationships
• securely attached
• dismissive
• preoccupied/enmeshed
• fearful

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has been in therapy with me and from whom I have learnt so much. In addition many of the ideas in this chapter derive from sharing clinical experiences with colleagues to whom I am most grateful, in particular Mario Marrone and Mauricio Cortina, and members of the North London peer consultation group of the International Attachment Network 1999–2001.

Notes

 Paper presented at the XII International Forum for Psychoanalysis in Oslo, Norway, 2002.

 George C, Kaplan N, Main M. Adult Attachment Interview (2nd ed). Unpublished manuscript. University of California at Berkeley; 1985.

 Crowell J, Owens G. Current Relationship Interview (CRI) Scoring system manual. Unpublished manuscript. State University of New York at Stonybrook; 1996.

 Cowan P, Cowan C. Couples’ Attachment Interview. Unpublished manuscript. University of California at Berkeley; 1991.