Clients’ Attachment Styles and Therapy Outcomes

A growing body of research shows that clients’ attachment styles have an important effect on therapy outcome. Therapists who can recognize and adapt to the different kinds of attachment styles – and therapists who can recognize their own attachment styles – will have a better chance at cutting down on premature terminations. They will also be more adept and proactive at avoiding ruptures to the alliance and more quickly repairing them. Knowing each client’s attachment style and being able to respond empathically and strategically to it will help keep each client engaged in therapy.

This intermediate course for psychologists, social workers, and counselors who work with children, adolescents and adults has two sections. Section One provides a theoretical overview of how and why attachment styles affect the therapy relationship. Section Two presents research on the effect of different attachment styles on the therapeutic alliance. Additional resources and references are provided for further study, but they are not part of the course.