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Security and the social mind: attachment and therapeutic communities

Gwen Adshead (Forensic Psychiatry Department, Southern Health Foundation Trust, Fareham, UK.)

Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities

ISSN: 0964-1866

Article publication date: 13 April 2015

318

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe some of the basic features of attachment theory, and explore how they relate to the development of the “social mind” and the work of therapeutic communities (TC).

Design/methodology/approach

The author describes the essentials of attachment theory in humans; and the development of both secure and insecure states of mind. The author will set out how insecure attachment systems are associated with deficits in mentalising processes which are fundamental to the activity of the social mind.

Findings

The author suggests how attachment to a TC can promote mentalising processes. The author draws on the work of other speakers in the conclusions about how to “grow” secure minds and societies.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is a brief over view only and does not address attachment process to TC in any depth.

Practical implications

Attachment theory could help both service users and therapists who work in TCs understand some of the difficulties people have in engaging at the start. Attachment theory also gives a guide to what a “good enough” experience in a TC might look like.

Originality/value

There is little existing discussion of the application of attachment theory to TCs.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The author is grateful to Dr Steve Pearce for his editorial assistance.

Citation

Adshead, G. (2015), "Security and the social mind: attachment and therapeutic communities", Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, Vol. 36 No. 1, pp. 12-20. https://doi.org/10.1108/TC-02-2015-0009

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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