Guilford Publications Attachment in Psychotherapy

Im a therapist in training completing my master’s right now. Sadly, our program was not trauma-informed and didn’t provide us with in depth training about how attachment styles and early experiences impact nearly everything. This book provides in depth information on attachment and how we can use such information in our clinical practice. I was hesitant buying this book but 100% 49$ worth well spent. I highly recommend it.

This book is the best all-round exploration of attachment theory, its history and research base, with plenty of insights and examples to consider in clinical work. I have an MACP but this book taught me more about early behavioural patterns and where they come from than any textbook - also what to do about these patterns to help towards positive growth. There is also a great deal about mindfulness and body awareness, which is crucially important to remember for anyone either giving or receiving help. Wallin writes lucidly and engagingly. He puts his information across like one who understands it in an integrated way, from his frontal lobes right down into his mitochondria! I can't recommend this book enough - lay people will also find it completely fascinating. This is one I will read again and again, with insight and gratitude each time.

This is the best book about psychotherapy I have ever read. It is changing my practice but, more crucially, changing my life. It is a gift and should be required reading for all therapists in grad school and 10,20,30 years into practice. Paradigm shifting.

Patient: OMG! Just read a great book! Therapist: What's the name of it? Patient: Attachment in Psychotherapy by David Wallin. Really engaging, very readable. It's good stuff! Therapist: So, tell me what stirred... Patient: Well, I especially liked Wallin's idea of the "window of tolerance," and how that works bidirectionally. And I was happy to see that he obtained his patients' permission to tell their stories. That shows his true respect and understanding that the work is always co-created. It also sends a message of consideration and caring. Like I said, it's good stuff! Therapist: (nods) What else about it comes to mind? Patient: Wallin's mindfulness! His authenticity in the consulting room and his willingness to self-disclose, even thoughts that are difficult to express. It becomes contagious! It's an excellent model for the patient. And for therapists too. Therapist: (smiles) Are you trying to tell me something? Patient: Haha! Just saying! No really, the academics are rigorous, but the book is easy to understand and absorb. And Wallin welcomes the plurality in psychoanalytic thinking, sees it as enriching the work - though his core thoughts are most closely allied with relational ideas. Therapist: Cool! Anything bother you about the book? Patient: Yeah, it's too short! Hope he does a follow up, soon! Therapist: Haha! Final thoughts before we go? Patient: Wallin writes refreshingly with clarity and insight, encouraging the reader to associate to her/his own, "unthought known" ideas. It is clear that Dr. Wallin is a dedicated practitioner whose goal is to guide his patients (and himself) from rupture to repair. His desire, as expressed in his quote from E.M. Forster, is to "only connect!" And that he does! Therapist: Wow! I am going to run right out and buy this book! Patient: (boy, what a Strange Situation!) Great! Better hurry! Enjoy!

I loved this book so much that I ended up writing a letter to the author and he responded back to me. I was surprised and touched that he took the time to do so, but it is fitting with his genuine, caring approach that he clearly he takes with his patients as you can sense from the book. Dr. Wallin blends research and personal clinical experience to deliver an insightful and profound book on psychotherapy. I could not recommend this book enough. I genuinely think the things you will learn from this book will change you and your clinical practice, and in turn the lives of your patients.