| WORKSHOPS ON THE CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS OF ATTACHMENT THEORY |
IAN offers a workshop on the clinical implications of Attachment Theory over two half-days. Dates to be arranged to suit interested institutions.
The workshop was originally devised for psychotherapists, psychiatrists, art and music therapists, and clinical psychologists; but variants are available which are more pecifically relevant for GPs, nurses, health visitors or social workers. The workshop is deliberately organised to encourage participants to engage in discussion of their own case material in terms of the theoretical perspective being outlined and the intermission between the two half days (usually a couple of weeks) is specifically designed to permit reflection on their ongoing casework and preparation of material for a brief presentation on the second day. The first day opens with a theoretical introduction, outlining how Attachment Theory posits a special instinct which stimulates proximity seeking to a caregiver, and detailing the developmental trajectories possible when this instinct is frustrated by a lack of sensitive responsiveness on the part of the actual carers among whom the infant chances to be born and grow up. The range of possible ‘attachment styles’ is then described, secure attachment contrasted with insecure, from the preoccupied/enmeshed to the dismissive or fearful avoidant, with particular attention paid to the dissociation experienced by those with a disorganised style, often associated with severe and enduring mental health problems.
For sensitive psychotherapy to occur it is necessary to take stock of the different styles of therapeutic work required by patients with different attachment styles, both in terms of initially building the working alliance and in terms of the psychotherapy process.
During the second day of the workshop several members are encouraged to describe a patient/client and his/her treatment in the attachment theory terms introduced earlier. The IAN supervisor(s) comment on the material brought and link it further with the theory. There is usually some additional discussion of the match between patient and therapist attachment style and its implication for therapeutic outcome, and the organisational context and teamwork.
For more information, please contact I.A.N.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
tel.: 07752 757461 |
