Understanding Disorganized Attachment

David Shemmings is Professor of Social Work in the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research at the University of Kent. He undertook his PhD in attachment theory, and has spent most of his working life in the field of child protection. Yvonne Shemmings is a Continuing Professional Development Specialist and has trained professionals in over 30 child protection organizations. She is a qualified social worker and a senior manager, and her work includes the use of attachment theory in practice. Both David and Yvonne have published widely in the fields of child and adult attachment and child protection.

• Acknowledgements. Dedication. Introduction. Part 1. Theoretical and Research Background. 1. What is Disorganized Attachment? 2. Key Pathways to Disorganized Attachment and its Consequences. 3. Identification and Assessment of Disorganized Attachment. 4. Neurological, Biochemical and Genetic Explanations. Part 2. Intervening Factors Leading to Disorganized Attachment. 5. Unresolved Loss and Trauma. 6. Mentalization and Reflective Function. 7. Specific Caregiver Behaviour (with David Wilkins). Part 3. Theory and Research into Practice. 8. What Produces Successful Interventions? (with David Phillips). 9. The Assessment of Disorganized Attachment and Maltreatment (ADAM) Project (with Tania Young). Concluding Comments. References. Subject Index. Author Index.

This accessible and informative book takes an up-to-date approach to the topic of disorganized attachment... The text has an authoritative research base and will be of use to social work and counselling/therapy professionals.