title: Attachment-informed therapy for adults: Towards a unifying perspective on practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to provide an integrated overview of the key goals and strategies of an attachment-informed psychotherapy by summarizing the literature describing the clinical implications of attachment theory for psychological therapy for adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  We carried out a narrative thematic review of 58 texts from a diverse range of therapeutic schools, until we agreed that we had reached a saturation of themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified six key themes: Changing internal working models; the therapeutic relationship and creating a secure base; formulating and processing relationship experiences; countertransference; separation, termination and boundary issues; and working with different attachment styles or patterns. We discuss empirical evidence in relation to each theme and highlight areas for research.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Attachment theory provides a useful framework to inform psychological therapy with adults, but there is a pressing need for further research to empirically demonstrate the 'added value' of an attachment perspective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Attachment theory should be used to inform individual psychological therapy in adulthood. From the outset of their careers, therapists should receive training and supervision to enhance their awareness of their own and their clients' attachment experiences and how these play out during therapy. There is a need for greater empirical research to investigate whether the degree to which therapists formulate and meet clients' attachment needs influences outcomes.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Therapies, Mental Health Unit, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, UK.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Danquah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D009769:Object Attachment; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*
keywords: attachment; clinical practice; psychotherapy; secure base; therapeutic relationship