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Integrating Behaviorism and Attachment Theory in Parent Coaching

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Psychology ((BRIEFSCD))

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Abstract

In this chapter, I discuss parent coaching with dyads with disorganized/controlling attachment and parents with an unresolved state of mind. First, I describe characteristics of disorganized/controlling attachment. Second, I describe parenting behaviors and other factors associated with disorganized/controlling attachment. Third, I describe relevant research on disorganized/controlling attachment including research on interventions that are effective in preventing or ameliorating disorganized/controlling attachment. Fourth, unresolved/disorganized state of mind. Fifth, I review relevant research on unresolved/disorganized state of mind including interventions associated with reductions in unresolved/disorganized state of mind. Sixth, I discuss clinical observations and recommendations for coaching parents in disorganized/controlling dyads and parents with unresolved/disorganized state of mind.

Every heart to love will come but like a refugee

Forget your perfect offering.

There is a crack in everything.

That’s how the light gets in.

(Cohen 1992)

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Notes

  1. 1.

    This is a fictional account illustrating a disorganized dyad and parents with an unresolved state of mind.

  2. 2.

    Dyads with a disorganized/secure attachment classification are considered insecurely attached, a confusing aspect of attachment nomenclature that has led Lyons-Ruth and Spielman (2004) to refer to this group as disorganized-approach.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA

    Beth Troutman PhD

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  1. Beth Troutman PhD
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Correspondence to Beth Troutman PhD .

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Troutman, B. (2015). Like a Refugee. In: Integrating Behaviorism and Attachment Theory in Parent Coaching. SpringerBriefs in Psychology(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15239-4_8

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