Abstract
Attachment-based family therapy is an empirically supported manualized treatment that was developed to reduce depression and suicide ideation in adolescents and young adults. This process-oriented, trauma-informed approach aims to identify and resolve family conflicts that have damaged trust between parents and adolescents. Attachment theory provides the theoretical framework that guides specific stages of the treatment course. Five treatment tasks provide structure and scaffolding that keep the treatment focused on attachment and brief in its delivery. Although this is a family systems therapy, several modern psychodynamic attachment-based principles characterize some of the hypothesized treatment mechanisms. These include coherent attachment narratives, reflective functioning, and goal-corrected partnership. The chapter provides an overview of the theory, treatment structure, and core mechanisms of change; 20 years of empirical research; and a case study demonstrating the treatment approach.
Published Version
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