Attachment Theory for Adults: A Guide to Clinical Practice

The book serves as a guide to applying attachment theory in everyday practice. The authors of this collective monograph explain in detail and in an accessible manner the possibilities of attachment theory and the influence of its styles on many aspects of human life. Containing the most modern theories and practices in this field, the book is an ideal resource for psychologists and psychotherapists, counselors, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, social workers, and mental health leaders, as well as mental health services. In the fifty years since John Bowlby developed attachment theory, it has had a significant impact on developmental psychology and, more recently, on people's mental health. Combining the experience of a wide range of mental health specialists and researchers who regularly apply this theory in their work, this book serves as a guide to using attachment theory in everyday practice. Adam N. Dancu and Katherine Berry offer a broad and practical approach to this topic, including research on clinical practice, mental health service delivery, and consideration of cross-cultural aspects. The first section discusses the fundamentals of attachment theory and its practical application. The second presents clinical issues and manifestations, including the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, psychoses, personality disorders, and eating disorders. The third section of the book examines the needs of specific population groups, discussing the influence of sociocultural factors such as gender, ethnicity, and age. Finally, the fourth section addresses the work of organizations and practicing specialists, including the use of attachment theory for service organization and how individual therapists can integrate their own attachment histories into their method. Combining the most modern theories and practices in this field, the book will be an ideal resource for psychologists and psychotherapists, counselors, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, social workers, and mental health service leaders.