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Attachment, Trauma, and Healing: Understanding and Treating Attachment Disorder in Children, Families and Adults
Now in a fully updated and expanded edition, Levy and Orlans' classic text provides a comprehensive overview of attachment theory, how attachment issues manifest, and how they can be treated.
The book covers attachment-focused assessment and diagnosis, specialised training and education for caregivers, treatment for children and caregivers and early intervention and prevention programmes for high-risk families. The authors explain their unique models of 'corrective attachment therapy' and 'corrective attachment parenting', and provide practical guidance on goals and techniques for clinicians who work with maltreated and attachment disordered children and families. This second edition incorporates advances in the fields of child and family psychology that have occurred since the book first published in 1998, with substantial new sections on interpersonal neurobiology, adult and couple treatment, the application of positive psychology.
Clear, authoritative and skills-oriented, this is the essential guide to attachment for psychologists, social workers, clinicians, as well as foster and adoptive parents.
The book covers attachment-focused assessment and diagnosis, specialised training and education for caregivers, treatment for children and caregivers and early intervention and prevention programmes for high-risk families. The authors explain their unique models of 'corrective attachment therapy' and 'corrective attachment parenting', and provide practical guidance on goals and techniques for clinicians who work with maltreated and attachment disordered children and families. This second edition incorporates advances in the fields of child and family psychology that have occurred since the book first published in 1998, with substantial new sections on interpersonal neurobiology, adult and couple treatment, the application of positive psychology.
Clear, authoritative and skills-oriented, this is the essential guide to attachment for psychologists, social workers, clinicians, as well as foster and adoptive parents.
480 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 15, 2016
My daughter's therapist recommended this book after diagnosing her with RAD. It is very comprehensive and seems to be written mostly for therapists, but if parents stick with the reading, they will come away with a much more hopeful view and feel more confident about seeking help (and believing there is help) for children with attachment issues. Levy and Orlans know their stuff and don't mind sharing their research, techniques, and knowledge. This is the place to start to learn about RAD.
April 29, 2023
This textbook may be of help to psychotherapists that counsel patients, but for the general public it is only of minimal assistance in dealing with attachment and trauma issues.
It does take a broad overview of the research at a brisk pace and uses confusing terminology, constantly changing what categories there are for attachment theory. It happily includes a number of outside variables that can impact how attachment and trauma impacts adulthood and I learned a few new things but came out being uninspired with few solid answers.
Instead the book includes patient intake forms and questions for counselors to ask, as well as a long section on how to treat patients. These sections were the most disappointing since they seemed to make a number of assumptions about the standardization of treatment, and the authors left out a number of other possible ways to deal with the negative adult impact. For example, like many other attachment books this fails to address the importance of adult spiritual conversion or commitment in changing lives beyond anything psychology can do.
All this book proves is that "science" is not always fact-based, is every changing, and that psychology is grasping at simplistic answers for complex developmental issues.
It does take a broad overview of the research at a brisk pace and uses confusing terminology, constantly changing what categories there are for attachment theory. It happily includes a number of outside variables that can impact how attachment and trauma impacts adulthood and I learned a few new things but came out being uninspired with few solid answers.
Instead the book includes patient intake forms and questions for counselors to ask, as well as a long section on how to treat patients. These sections were the most disappointing since they seemed to make a number of assumptions about the standardization of treatment, and the authors left out a number of other possible ways to deal with the negative adult impact. For example, like many other attachment books this fails to address the importance of adult spiritual conversion or commitment in changing lives beyond anything psychology can do.
All this book proves is that "science" is not always fact-based, is every changing, and that psychology is grasping at simplistic answers for complex developmental issues.
July 16, 2023
This is definitely not light reading but I really appreciated this book and all its learnings. recommend this book for any professional in the field as well as any parent or caregiver looking to gain insight into trauma and healing. Informative, Engaging, Well written.
January 20, 2018
Thorough. A bit more research-based than I personally need, but very clearly in-depth and the authors are incredibly knowledgeable experts.
September 14, 2025
Practical and informative
The first half was quite a bit of theory and foundation second half was so very practical. As a therapist very much appreciated.
The first half was quite a bit of theory and foundation second half was so very practical. As a therapist very much appreciated.
August 9, 2013
Includes all the basic attachment theory, before thoroughly outlining the "controversial 'in arms' treatment" that involves both the child and family/caregiver.
'In arms' therapy as outlined by Levy and Orlans seems less forceful and potentially harmful than other write-ups. I think because of the considerable theoretical background given, along with a thorough overview of the child's experience. They appear to communicate more compassion and humanity than some of their peers.
My issue is always that treatment suggestions seem to focus on those children that act out severely and are aggressively non-compliant and the like. I want more cases of this type of treatment in those who are less behaviorally active in that sense.
Really thorough read. Of all the books on this approach and subject, this is near top of the pile. Good for families going through this, and for professionals needing structure over treatment.
'In arms' therapy as outlined by Levy and Orlans seems less forceful and potentially harmful than other write-ups. I think because of the considerable theoretical background given, along with a thorough overview of the child's experience. They appear to communicate more compassion and humanity than some of their peers.
My issue is always that treatment suggestions seem to focus on those children that act out severely and are aggressively non-compliant and the like. I want more cases of this type of treatment in those who are less behaviorally active in that sense.
Really thorough read. Of all the books on this approach and subject, this is near top of the pile. Good for families going through this, and for professionals needing structure over treatment.
March 8, 2015
Many of you may not know that I was once a social worker. I still maintain my license and attend trainings. There are times when I attend a training and it resonates with me. My training on Trauma & Attachment Focused Therapy was one of the best I have ever attended and the book that was available at the training was one that I had to have, This book is THE resource on attachment. It focuses on so many aspects of the disorder and ways to treat, prevent and support those dealing with this disorder. 4.5 star resource.
July 30, 2009
especially like charts in back of book
September 3, 2013
A great introductory work on trauma theory. I often use bits of it to explain trauma theory to foster carers, parents and/or school officials.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews