On Attachment: The View from Developmental Psychology

by Ian Rory Owen

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782204527
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/13/2017
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

Table of Contents

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

Editorial Reviews

"In writing this book, Ian Rory Owen has not only challenged many mainstream fervently held beliefs in this regard, but has also provided case examples that elegantly reveal and effectively deal with the negative existential effects of inadequate attachment experiences in one's childhood and formative years. Dr. Owen's work is readily accessible to the layperson, owing largely to his eloquent style of writing, even though this work essentially remains a high-level, well-conceptualized and argued text which is highly recommended reading for mental health and social care professionals, as it is sure to illuminate many of their cases.

University of Johannesburg - Christopher R. Stones

"A very welcome book on attachment from Ian Rory Owen - a psychotherapist and a prominent author. Owen is pointing us in the fundamental direction of interpersonal relationships and our continuous attachment to others, that is, to our developmental, human condition."

Malmo University, Sweden - Magnus Englander

"A very welcome book on attachment from Ian Rory Owen - a psychotherapist and a prominent author. Owen is pointing us in the fundamental direction of interpersonal relationships and our continuous attachment to others, that is, to our developmental, human condition."— (01/01/2017)

"In writing this book, Ian Rory Owen has not only challenged many mainstream fervently held beliefs in this regard, but has also provided case examples that elegantly reveal and effectively deal with the negative existential effects of inadequate attachment experiences in one's childhood and formative years. Dr. Owen's work is readily accessible to the layperson, owing largely to his eloquent style of writing, even though this work essentially remains a high-level, well-conceptualized and argued text which is highly recommended reading for mental health and social care professionals, as it is sure to illuminate many of their cases.— (01/01/2017)

From the Publisher