Attachment-Based Practice with Adults

Clark Baim lead author of Attachment-based Practice with Adults Clark Baim is a Psychodrama Psychotherapist (UK Council for Psychotherapy) and a registered senior trainer with the British Psychodrama Association. He is the Co-Director of the Birmingham Institute for Psychodrama, a psychotherapy training organisation, and Change Point Ltd., a training provider in criminal justice, mental health and social care settings (www.changepointlearning.com). Clark has 20 years of experience as a group facilitator and trainer in the UK, Ireland, Greece, South Africa, Latvia, Sweden, Australia and the USA. A native of Chicago and graduate of Williams College, Massachusetts, he moved to the UK in 1987 to establish and serve as the first Director of Geese Theatre UK, a company using applied drama in prisons and probation. In recent years, Clark has focused on the study of attachment theory and its links with trauma, loss, maltreatment and the development of offending behaviour. Clark is the co-editor of several books and author of numerous chapters and articles on various aspects of psychotherapy, offender treatment, supervision and groupwork methods. In 2008, he was presented with the Scholar's Award by the American Association for Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama. He is a founding member of the International Association for the Study of Attachment.

"This interactive practice guide is the outcome of a long, deep, professional and personal relationship. It is a meld of key theory and practice techniques for attachment based practice. Perseverance with any challenges the material may pose will richly reward the reader. The book role models a balanced attachment strategy between the reader and the authors. It is finely attuned to the needs of the practitioner and because of this, the reader develops a sense of trust in the materials and a belief that they may be used with confidence. One thing I particularly like is how the book is underscored with messages of hope and the recognition that 'the power to devise, reflect on and revise our stories is one of the most important resilience-building capacities we possess."' Tess Tackett, Training Coordinator, Blackpool Safeguarding Children Board "The last decade has seen an increasing focus on the importance of attachment theory and its application to work with people these authors refer to as 'troubled and troubling adults.' Presented in a characteristically accessible format, this manual presents clear explanations of the theories and concepts necessary for the application of attachment - based practice. Combined with exercises to enable rehearsal of understanding and skills, this book seems destined to become another milestone in the development of this still evolving area of work." Marcus Erooga, NSPCC Sexual Abuse Theme Adviser and Visiting Research Fellow, Centre for Childhood Studies, Huddersfield University "This is one of those sit down and read books but also a useful reference for when I'm thinking about what to do next or how I approach a particular situation. The diagrams help in remembering key concepts and shed light on complex material. The book brings together practical explanations of how the brain and the mind work in a relational context, including attachment and memory, and shows how understanding these concepts directly inform therapy, supervision and other interactions. In training and therapy, we are often asked 'but what does it mean in practice?' This book is a fabulous resource to assist in exploring both that question and some of the many, many answers." Annette Jackson, Adjunct Associate Professor, La Trobe University and Director, Take Two, Berry Street, Melbourne, Australia "Attachment based practice has an integral place in work with individuals who have complicated lives. This is a wonderful resource that is nurturing and empowering in its approach. It makes complex theory understandable and useable. The clear frameworks, resources and step by step approach will build confidence in practitioners. In itself it is motivating and will make you believe 'I can.'" Lynda Regan, Children's Service Manager, Cornerstone Project, Eccles "Practitioners often have a good grasp of attachment theory, and this book beautifully and skilfully invites the reader to explore their learning to another level. The book positively challenges the reader to really try to understand and concentrate in depth around the functioning behind the behaviour and not just the behaviour itself. This is often missing during complex assessment processes. I think the book captures well the importance of assisting the service user to share their story with the worker, something workers often find hard to do. Practitioners love tools; the worksheets contain a variety of prompts for workers which stretch the thinking beyond the norm and will create productive discussions in both working/training situations. I am a qualified Social Worker and have worked with vulnerable children and their families for almost 25 years. How much more effective my interviewing skills would have been if I had this knowledge earlier in my career." Sandra Cummings, Bolton Social Services