Systemic Therapy and Attachment Narratives: Applications in a Range of Clinical Settings

by Dallos; Rudi

• ISBN13: 9780415416573
• ISBN10: 0415416574
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-04-15
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Professional interest in the clinical applications of attachment theory continues to grow and evolve, and at the same time narrative approaches are also gaining ground. This book explores how attachment-based ideas can be used in clinical practice by offering a practical and sophisticated exposition of clinical approaches. Bringing together three main systems of thought and psychotherapeutic practice - systemic theory, attachment theory and narrative theory - practitioners are shown how to use these ideas in their work through the integrated approach of '¬Üattachment narrative therapy'¬". Using clinical examples, the authors provide guidance on how to use attachment narrative therapy in different clinical contexts and with various client groups, including working with: addictions: alcohol dependency and eating distress loss and grief trauma and dissociation love and sexuality: applications with couples. Systemic Therapy and Attachment Narrativesprovides practical guidance for a range of mental health professionals including family therapists, child, adolescent and adult psychotherapists, clinical psychologists and social workers, enabling them to apply this approach in a range of contexts.

Author Biography

Rudi Dallos is the Programme Director of the Plymouth University Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He also works as a clinical psychologist specialising in work with adolescents and their families. Arlene Vetere is Deputy Director of Clinical Psychology Doctorate training at Surrey University and a family therapist, registered with the UKCP. She is also President of the European Family Therapy Association.

Table of Contents

List of figures and tables	p. ix
Foreword	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
Systemic therapy and attachment narratives: guiding framework for formulation and therapy	p. 8
Attachment narrative therapy model	p. 8
Stages of therapy in the ANT approach	p. 10
Theory of change	p. 14
Guiding formulations for intervention	p. 25
Life-cycle transitions and attachment narratives	p. 31
Individual theories of emotional and social development	p. 31
Family life-cycle models of change and development	p. 3
Family life-cycle stages and attachment reorganisations	p. 37
Emotion regulation: aggression, ADHD and violence in families	p. 59
Attachment patterns	p. 59
Attachment strategies as filtering our experiences	p. 61
From self to joint regulation of feelings	p. 63
Problems of attention/hyperactivity and aggression	p. 66
Implications for therapy: an attachment formulation	p. 68
The intergenerational effects of family violence	p. 81
Love and sexuality: systemic therapy and attachment narratives: applications with couples	p. 86
Sexuality and gender	p. 90
Adult attachment relationships and internal working models	p. 94
Couples therapy and attachment theory	p. 99
Attachment narrative therapy with couples	p. 106
Trauma and dissociation	p. 111
What is trauma?	p. 112
Trauma, dissociation and attachment theory	p. 114
Family patterns and trauma	p. 116
Implications for therapy	p. 122
Loss, grief and attachment	p. 132
Continuing bonds	p. 133
Representational systems and internal working models	p. 135
Grief as process	p. 135
Bereavement, systemic therapy and attachment narratives	p. 144
Problems of addiction: alcohol dependency and eating distress	p. 152
Working with dependence on alcohol	p. 152
Eating distress and addictions	p. 168
Formats for exploration	p. 178
Getting started: working with family relationships, attachments and narratives	p. 178
Exploring attachment narratives through the family genogram	p. 180
Scaffolding conversations about feelings and attachments	p. 181
Emotional sculpting	p. 183
Exploring patterns of communication	p. 184
Corrective and implicative scripts	p. 186
Exploring patterns of comforting	p. 186
Reflecting team discussion: attachment narratives	p. 187
Structured reflective conversation	p. 188
Exploring attachment injury	p. 189
Summary	p. 190
Reflections and conclusions	p. 192
Our own needs	p. 192
Culture and contexts	p. 194
References	p. 197
Index	p. 205
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