Effective Therapies for Reactive Attachment Disorder

Effective Therapies for Reactive Attachment Disorder

Brandi L. Crum

Liberty University

EFFECTIVE THERAPIES FOR REACTIVE ATTACHMENT DISORDER

I. ABSTRACT

II. Introduction to Reactive Attachment Disorder

a. “The process of secure attachment between child and parent during early childhood is requisite for laying the foundation for later normative psychosocial and emotional development. Failure to establish a nurturing and reciprocal attachment between the young child and caretaker can have profound and sometimes irreversible effects on the child’s later social emotional development, and may result in the development of Reactive attachment disorder (RAD).” (Weinberg, 2010, 48-50)

III. Types of Reactive Attachment Disorder

b. Inhibited

i. Related to attachment and has outward expressions of negative behaviors.

1. Lying

2. Stealing

3. Manipulation

4. Destruction

c. Disinhibited

ii. Related to attachment and has inward expressions of negative behaviors.

5. Depression

6. Suicide

7. Self-Mutilation

8. Eating Disorders

IV. How Reactive Attachment Disorder Effects the Family

V. Effective Therapies

d. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy

iii. Focused on the individuals who are a key part of therapy

iv. The use of PACE and PLACE

9. “PACE refers to the therapist setting a healing pace to therapy by being playful, accepting, curious, and empathetic. The idea is that the therapist maintains and emotional connection with the client and dyadically regulates the child’s affect.” (Becker-Weidman, 2008, 52)

10. PLACE refers to the parent creating a healing environment by being playful, loving, accepting, curious, and empathic.” (Becker-Weidman, 2008, 52)

e. Use of Adult Attachment Interview

v. This study was originally used for adults, but can be...