Attachment, Maternal Deprivation and Psychotherapy

Babies are born primed to seek out a bond with caregivers who protect them and ensure their survival. But whether babies merely survive or thrive depends on the kind of care and attention they receive... Attachment, Maternal Deprivation and Psychotherapy outlines the development of Attachment Theory from John Bowlby’s early work on “maternal deprivation”, the observational and laboratory research that supported and expanded his theory, and considers more recent developments in understanding what vital components babies need to thrive. Insecure attachment reflects the absence or loss of key ingredients in early parent-infant relationships. In this book, Linda Cundy moves Attachment Theory from research laboratory back into the consulting room. With this expanded understanding of “maternal deprivation”, a model of attachment-informed psychotherapy is proposed that can help clients transition from surviving to thriving. Ultimately, Cundy shows us that “what is missing” has repercussions throughout life, in all areas of life, and can also affect the next generation.