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Despite a long history of psychodynamic therapy interventions with people with learning disabilities and anger problems, there is little evidence that suggests that this approach is effective. The present case study explored 18 pychodynamic therapy sessions with an adult with mild learning disabilities and anger problems, investigating therapy outcomes and progress along a nine‐stage Malan (1979) model, as well as analysing therapeutic interactions leading to therapy progression. The patient's progression along Malan stages was explored by a thematic analysis matching therapy sessions to the Malan model. The investigation of therapeutic interactions was achieved by discourse analysis of those therapy sessions indicative of Malan‐Stage progression. The results are discussed and suggestions for future research and practice implications are made.

This pilot study aimed to investigate whether adults with mild/moderate intellectual disabilities could accurately self‐report their attachment style. It explored whether there is a relationship between attachment style and challenging behaviour and/or mental health problems. Additionally, the paper examines the distribution of attachment styles in people with intellectual disabilities, based on the hypothesis that it might be different to that of the general population.

Adults with intellectual disabilities (n=60) and people who supported them (n=39) completed questionnaires based on Hazan and Shaver's attachment categories and mental health diagnoses. Supporters also provided information about challenging behaviour.

People with mild/moderate intellectual disabilities show the same range of attachment styles as the general population. Links between challenging behaviour and insecure attachment were found, and there was an association between depression and insecure‐avoidant attachment.

Applications of attachment theory in individual therapy and at a policy level are explored in light of the findings, as well as directions for future research. There appears to be a relationship between insecure attachment and depression in people with intellectual disabilities. This has implications for the psychological treatment of people with intellectual disabilities and interventions should be developed that focus on attachment relationships. Attachment behaviour may not be linked to challenging behaviour as directly as has been previously suggested, certainly for people with mild moderate intellectual disabilities.

This purpose of this paper is to outline how a combination of different psychological models may inform formulation and treatment, and the benefits for the client and the therapist of working in this way.

This is a single case study, describing an integrative approach in which psychodynamic ideas were used to inform cognitive-behavioural treatment.

The integrated approach reported here not only allowed the client to develop his skills in problem solving and taking different perspectives, but also to take a more active role in decisions about his life.

Integrative approaches may be of particular use for individuals who have not shown a full response to interventions based on a single theoretical model. Malan's triangles of insight provide a clear structure to psychodynamic formulation that is easily accessible to emerging psychodynamic practitioners.

Little previous research has described integrative approaches for psychological difficulties in people with an intellectual disability. The approach outlined in this study describes reasons for using an integrative approach, provides one example of how different models may be combined in practice, and describes ways in which the integrative approach enriched the intervention.