Attachment theory: working towards learned security

This book covers the groundbreaking concepts in attachment theory, as promulgated by Bowlby himself and during the years post Bowlby. It sets out to develop the seminal concept of 'learned security': the provision of a reparative experience of a secure base by the therapist so that the client can imbibe what he missed out on during his formative years. Rhona M. Fear points out that the idea of learned security has developed from the concept of earned security but is distinctly different. In Part I, Fear outlines the origins and progress of attachment theory and the concepts of earned and learned security. In Part II, she uses a process of dialectical thinking to put forward an integration of Kohut's self psychology, Bowlby's attachment theory, and Stolorow, Atwood and Brandchaft's intersubjective perspective. The unifying concept that binds these three theories together is that of empathy, but she puts forward a particular intersubjective, collaborative view of empathic attunement.

PART I: ATTACHMENT THEORY AS THE UNDERLYING BASIS OF THE THEORY OF LEARNED SECURITY -- CHAPTER ONE Origins of attachment theory -- CHAPTER TWO Attachment theory Bowlby -- CHAPTER THREE Mentalizing: a development in attachment theory post Bowlby -- CHAPTER FOUR The concepts of earned security and learned security -- PART II: PROBLEMS THAT LEAD TO INSECURE ATTACHMENT -- CHAPTER FIVE -- Maternal deprivation -- CHAPTER SIX -- The emotionally unavailable mother -- CHAPTER SEVEN -- Toxic parenting -- CHAPTER EIGHT -- The physical effects of emotional nurturance on the baby's brain -- PART III: THEORETICAL UNDERPINNININGS OF LEARNED SECURITY -- CHAPTER NINE -- Heinz Kohut: the psychology of the self -- CHAPTER TEN -- The intersubjective perspective -- CHAPTER ELEVEN -- The theory of learned security -- CHAPTER TWELVE -- The clinical application of the theory of learned security -- PART IV: CASE STUDIES -- CHAPTER THIRTEEN -- Nick (Part 1): moving towards a grounded belief in his own power -- Nick (Part 2): Nick's narrative of the therapeutic process -- CHAPTER FOURTEEN -- Emma; a flower blossoms and shares her beauty with humanity -- CHAPTER FIFTEEN -- Jane: challenging her world view --…