Client Attachment to Therapist, Depth of In-Session Exploration, and Object Relations in Brief Psychotherapy.

Abstract

Two studies explored attachment in psychotherapy. In the 1st study, clients (N ϭ 38) in time-limited therapy completed the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale as a measure of adult attachment, the Client Attachment to Therapist Scale (CATS), Working Alliance Inventory (WAI), and measures of session depth and smoothness. Consistent with J. Bowlby's (1988) concept of a secure base promoting greater exploration, secure attachment to therapist was significantly associated with greater session depth and smoothness. Insecure adult attachment was associated with insecure therapeutic attachment. CATS subscales predicted unique variance in session experience not accounted for by the WAI alone. The 2nd study was a new analysis of data originally reported by B. Mallinckrodt, D. L. Gantt, and H. M. Coble (1995). Among women clients (N ϭ 44) who completed the CATS, WAI, and the Bell Object Relations and Reality Testing Inventory, 2 CATS subscales predicted unique variance in object relations deficits not accounted for by the WAI alone.

Patients’ attachment to therapists in art therapy simulation and their reactions to the experience of using art materials

“…Researchers and theoreticians have suggested that the therapist-patient relationship may also be conceptualized and understood using Attachment Theory concepts (e.g. Daniel, 2006;Mallinckrodt, Porter, & Kivlighan, 2005;Obegi & Berant, 2009). According to Mallinckrodt (2010), the therapeutic relationship meets the criteria that define an attachment relationship.…”

Your responses guide me: Decreased attachment anxiety through an online relationship-building paradigm

“…Securely attached adults are more able to trust and to be kind, sensitive, empathetic, compassionate, and open (Collins & Read, 1990;Kunce & Shaver, 1994;Lopez & Brennan, 2000;Mallinckrodt, Porter, & Kivlighan, 2005;Mikulincer, 1997;Mikulincer & Orbach, 1995;Rogers, 1961) than those with high levels of attachment anxiety or avoidance. They show love and forgiveness, feel connected, commit to altruistic and ethical behavior, and have a generally positive view of others (Lopez & Brennan, 2000;Mikulincer & Shaver, 2003, 2007aMikulincer, Shaver, Gillath, & Nitzberg, 2005).…”

“Experiências em Relações Próximas”, um questionário de avaliação das dimensões básicas dos estilos de vinculação nos adultos: Tradução e validação para a população Portuguesa

“…Este fenómeno de causalidade recíproca tem levado a que este instrumento tenha sido utilizado em numerosas investigações recentes (e.g., Jerome & Liss, 2005;Mallinckrodt, Porter, & Kivlighan, 2005;Obegi, Morrison, & Shaver, 2004) e traduzido em diversas línguas (e.g., Hebraico, por Mikulincer & Florian, 2000;Francês, por Lafontaine & Lussier, 2003;Chinês, por Mallinckrodt & Wang, 2004). Todas estas razões justificavam amplamente a sua tradução e validação numa versão Portuguesa.…”