Attachment as an Integrating Concept in Couple and Family Therapy: Some Considerations with Special Reference to South Africa

Authors: Lindegger G.¹; Barry T.²

Source: Contemporary Family Therapy, Volume 21, Number 2, June 1999 , pp. 267-288(22)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Couples, marital, and family therapy in South Africa and throughout the world have undergone radical changes in theory and practice in the last three to four decades. These developments are seen in the emergence of different approaches which may be regarded as modern or post-modern, intrapsychic or systemic. While these different approaches are often seen as theoretically and clinically incompatible, it is the aim in this paper to suggest that the time has come to seek points of integration of these different approaches, and the construct of attachment is proposed as an ideal integrating concept. Two case illustrations are used to demonstrate attachment as an integrating concept. It is suggested that the concept of attachment may also be applied to family therapists and associations, including and especially in South Africa.

Keywords: attachment; systems; family therapy; South Africa

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Associate Professor, School of Psychology, Natal University, P/Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa; Lindegger@psy.unp.ac.za 2: Private practice, PO Box 74, Hilton, 3245, South Africa

Publication date: 1999-06-01