title: "A child's nightmare. Mum comes and comforts her child." Attachment evaluation as a guide in the assessment and treatment in a clinical case study.
abstract: There is a gap between proposed theoretical attachment theory frameworks, measures of attachment in the assessment phase and their relationship with changes in outcome after a psychodynamic oriented psychotherapy. Based on a clinical case study of a young woman with Panic Attack Disorder, this paper examined psychotherapy outcome findings comparing initial and post-treatment assessments, according to the mental functioning in S and M-axis of the psychodynamic diagnostic manual. Treatment planning and post-treatment changes were described with the main aim to illustrate from a clinical point of view why a psycho-dynamic approach, with specific attention to an "attachment theory stance," was considered the treatment of choice for this patient. The Symptom Check List 90 Revised (SCL-90-R) and the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP-200) were administered to detect patient's symptomatic perception and clinician's diagnostic points of view, respectively; the Adult Attachment Interview and the Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP) were also administered as to pay attention to patient's unconscious internal organization and changes in defense processes. A qualitative description of how the treatment unfolded was included. Findings highlight the important contribution of attachment theory in a 22-month psychodynamic psychotherapy framework, promoting resolution of patient's symptoms and adjustment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental and Socialization Psychology, University of Padova Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salcuni
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental and Socialization Psychology, University of Padova Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Di Riso
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental and Socialization Psychology, University of Padova Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lis
keywords: assessment; attachment; clinical case study; outcome research; psychodynamic supportive therapy