100980: The Man Without Words: An Evolving Attachment Process

About the Course:

This article illustrates findings from attachment theory and their elaboration by Fonagy and Target to show how attachment theory can be linked with intersubjective and relational perspectives. Concepts of attachment theory are developed to help understand personality development. These concepts are then applied to a case example that illustrates the treatment of a patient who has an avoidant-fearful attachment style. The clinical vignette details the treatment process, particularly the way that an attachment style can change over time.

Journal/Publisher:

Haworth Press

Author

Shoshanna Ringel, Ph.D.

About the Author:

Dr. Ringel is Assistant Professor Social Work at University of Maryland School of Social Work. She is book editor for the journal, Psychoanalytic Social Work and Member of the NMCOP Study Group. She is author of numerous articles and a book about attachment theory.

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for mental health care professionals, especially social workers, psychologists, counselors, and nurses who seek knowledge about attachment theory and intervention strategies. It is appropriate for introductory to intermediate levels of participants’ knowledge.

Course Objectives:

1. Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to identify key concepts of attachment theory such as mentalization, avoidant attachment styles and disrupted attachment.

2. Upon completion of this course, participants will recognize the way that Benjamin’s concept of mutual recognition is similar to the concept of mentalization.

3. Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to apply treatment concepts from relational and intersubjective perspectives to an understanding of patent’s attachment experience.

4. Upon completion of this course, participants will recognize how attachment patterns can be observed in the patient/therapist interaction.