What words cannot say: the telling story of video in attachment-based interventions

Abstract

In this Introduction to the Special Issue The Use of Video in Attachment-Based Interventions, we describe how film and video made their entry in attachment theory and research and ultimately in attachment-based interventions. The role of film in helping to understand attachment had its roots several decades ago with the Robertsons’ footage as a memorable example, while the role of video in helping to support attachment in the context of intervention started later but quickly increased with the rapid growth of smaller video cameras. Today the use of video and video feedback in attachment-based interventions is common, with applications in home-visiting programs, clinical treatment and therapy, and training modalities for parent coaches. In this Special Issue we highlight current work in this field, including illustrative case studies, clinical descriptions and process evaluations as well as rigorous randomized controlled trials.

Keywords:

• attachment-based interventions
• filmed observations
• video
• video feedback
• speaking-for-the-child technique