MRCPsych
Basic Psychology, Human Development and Social Science
Human Development strand - Attachment
19th November 2010
Lecturer: Dr Helen Brotherton
Aims: The aims of the session are to develop a greater understanding of attachment theory,
'bonding' and infant mental health, and particularly their relevance to emotional development,
affect regulation and human relationships, both in early life and adulthood. Bowlby's theory will
be specifically focused on and the conditions related to the formation of secure or insecure
attachment patterns. The clinical relevance of attachment categories within mental health work
will be explored, as well as the factors that can lead to disrupted attachments, such as early
separations, abuse and neglect. The consequences of failure to develop helpful internal
working models of relationships through difficult attachment experiences will be considered, with
case material used to illustrate clinical difficulties.
Intended Learning Outcomes: on completion of this session, students will have
1. Developed a greater understanding of how the difficulties of an infant,
young child or adult might be thought about and understood by applying an
attachment framework.
2. Developed a greater understanding of how core attachment concepts
and ideas can influence clinical work, with both children and adults.
3. Thought about how to apply this understanding in current clinical practice,
with their clients who present with a range of challenging difficulties.
Recommended References:
** Bowlby, J. & Holmes, J. (2005). A secure base (Routledge classics). UK:
Routledge.
* Cassidy, J. & Shaver, P.R. (2008). (2Ed), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research and
clinical applications, New York: Guildford Press.
** Gerhardt, S. (2004). Why love matters: how affection shapes a baby's brain.
UK: Routledge
Further References: Attachment with children and adults
Fraley R.C. (2004). A Brief Overview of Adult Attachment Theory and Research. Essay:
University of Illinois
Holmes, J. (2001). The search for the secure base: attachment theory and psychotherapy.
Routledge: UK.
Holmes, J. (2008). Towards a secure theoretical and evidential base for psychoanalytic
psychotherapy. Paper presented at TAIPP workshop, Sept, University of Exeter, UK.
Holmes, J. (2008). Getting it together: From attachment research to clinical practice. In J. Obegi
& E. Berant (Eds), Clinical applications of adult attachment theory and research, New
York.
Holmes, J. (2009). Exploring in Security: Towards an Attachment-Informed Psychoanalytic
Psychotherapy. Kindle books.
Obegi, J. & Berant E. (Eds) (2010). Attachment theory and research in clinical work with adults,
NY: Guildford Press.
Rholes, W.S. & Simpson, J.A. (Eds) (2004). Adult Attachment: Theory, Research, and Clinical
Implications. Guildford Press.
Steele, H. & Steele M. (2008). Clinical applications of the Adult Attachment Interview. Guildford
Press.
Weiss, R. (1982). Attachment in adult life. In C.M. Parkes & J. Stevenson-Hinde (Eds) The
place of attachment in human behaviour, London: Routledge.
Additional references on working psychodynamically with babies & infants
Cohn, N. (1994) Attending to emotional issues on a special care baby unit. In A. Obholzer &
V.Z. Roberts (Eds) The unconscious at work (pp60-66).
Routledge: London
Mawson, C. (1994) Containing anxiety in work with damaged children. In A.
V.Z. Roberts (Eds) The unconscious at work (pp67-74).
Routledge: London
Obholzer &
Obhlzer, A. (1994) Fragmentation and integration in a school for physically
handicapped
children. In A. Obholzer & V.Z. Roberts (Eds) The unconscious at work (pp84-93). Routledge:
London
* The Tavistock Clinic Series
1) Boswell, S. (2004). Understanding your baby. London: Jessica Kingsley
Publishers.
2) Gustavus Jones, S. (2004). Understanding your one-year-old. London:
Kingsley Publishers.
Jessica
3) Millar, L. (2004). Understanding your two-year-old. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
4) Emanuel, L. (2004). Understanding your three-year-old. London: Jessica
Kingsley Publishers.
* recommended
** highly recommended