Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in Deeply Troubled Children [Paperback]

Daniel A. Hughes (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0765702371 | ISBN-13: 978-0765702371 | Publication Date: August 1, 2000

With the unmistakable authority of a clinician, Dan Hughes builds a stirring story around the composite figure of Katie--a fragmented, tormented, isolated little girl in foster care whose terror, shame, rage and despair drive her to deeds like lacing the family hamburger with her own feces--in order to expose the tragedy of the attachment-impaired child.

The author also affirms and demonstrates the possibility of transformative intervention. Allison is the confident, compassionate, and controversial therapist who diagnoses and treats Katie's profound attachment disorder. Jackie is the therapeutic foster mother who fights to create a lasting bond with Katie by applying Allison's blend of affective attunement and effective discipline.

Dr. Hughes speaks in both popular and clinical voices as he animates Katie's demoralizing but eventually reparative odyssey through more homes than any child should have to live in, drawing on his decades of experience with foster and adopted youngsters, their families, and the professionals who support them. Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in Deeply Troubled Children is richly webbed with commentary on the dynamics of that odyssey, and also on the separate and tandem roles of case manager, therapist, and parent-surrogate.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A courageous, innovative, and clinically sensitive work, Building the Bonds of Attachment illustrates the process of repairing children who have been severely damaged by abuse and neglect. In quasi-novel format, Daniel Hughes focuses on one girl's struggles within the foster care system; by portraying her inner world, he enables us to understand and empathize with the dynamics of reactive attachment disorder. Hughes's approach to treatment comes alive, thanks to the interweaving of narrative with a wealth of clinical information. (Karen B. Walant )

Dr. Hughes intersperses insightful commentary with the story of one child's difficult journey through foster care and therapy following early neglect and abuse. Readable and compelling, this book will be a valuable resource for foster and adoptive parents and for therapists dedicated to helping unattached children recover. (Laurie C. Miller )

Though recognition of attachment disorder and its tragic consequences has increased, treatment continues to be arduous and profoundly discouraging. Building the Bonds of Attachment offers clinicians a sturdy framework and practical strategy for facing these overwhelming cases. Perhaps even more importantly, it will enlighten, affirm, and buoy the adoptive parents, foster families, caseworkers, and teachers who accompany the children on their courageous and daunting journey toward attachment. (Richard Bromfield )

Daniel Hughes conveys the inner life of poorly attached children and offers a sound and comprehensive clinical approach to the difficult task of bringing out the child's full humanity. This important contribution to the clinical literature has the added bonus of being as riveting a page-turner as any novel. (Ellen F. Wachtel )

From the Publisher

SPEICAL FEATURES: --Comprehensive model of treatment for high-risk, traumatized, children and youth --Application of attachment theory and research for psychotherapy and parenting --Narrative format for a detailed description of the model and interventions --Applicable for both professional and lay readership --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Jason Aronson, Inc. (August 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765702371
• ISBN-13: 978-0765702371
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #755,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Daniel A. Hughes, is a noted practitioner, consultant, and educator of attachment-focused family therapy, and founder of the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Institute. He lives in Annville, PA.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

146 of 150 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I devoured this book!, March 27, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in Deeply Troubled Children (Paperback)

This book was so interesting and readable, I read it from cover to cover in a day. I'm not a foster parent, I'm a teacher, but I have dealt with emotionally disturbed children in my classroom (in fact, I'm dealing with one this year). This book gave me so much insight into why these children act the way they do. Now I understand why they have such a need to be in control of everything, why they will do destructive things with seemingly no motive whatsoever (breaking their favorite toys, destroying their favorite books, etc.) Now I understand why things always get worse just as they seemed to be getting better. Most importantly, now I understand why these kids can't handle praise and rewards, and why those stupid behavior modification programs the administrators and counselors always suggest always seem to make the problem worse. Thank you Daniel A. Hughes!

61 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Lovely Story, A Terrific Modality, How Many Have Resources, December 16, 2000

By 

"nursepam2000" (La Mesa, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in Deeply Troubled Children (Paperback)

Although I was immensely moved by this book, and found the ideas presented thoughtful and compelling, there is a bit of Cinderella-esque fantasy involved. Most certainly Dr. Hughes illustrates the picture and the drama of the unattached child in a clear and concise manner, I would caution parents and would be parents, however, that within the confines of the foster care system, these therapeutic families and incredibly skilled therapists are not usually the norm.It would be my hope that one day every child be afforded the resources available to the fictional Katie Harrison. In the meantime, it does give foster and adoptive parents a roadmap to follow. And although there are cautionary statements throughout the book to indicate that these methods are not always successful, the hope is something to celebrate.Lastly, I hope people recognize that this child is not quite seven when she reaches her therapeutic foster placement and that with each passing year, the task in teaching children how to attach becomes greater. I highly recommend this book as a supplement to a more extensive library on attachment issues.

43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An answer to my prayers!, March 13, 2000

By 

Maureen Fitzgerald (Rutland, VT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in Deeply Troubled Children (Paperback)

This is a must have book for anyone dealing with attachment disorder. I have read it over and over and learned something substantial each time. After about 6 months of failed attempts to find a therapist trained to work with my four year old daughter and I, I finally bought this book and dove in. I have been doing therapy with my daughter for about two months as described in the book and now we have a budding new relationship. A reciprocal one. She is beginning to love and trust. This is the missing peice of the puzzle. It makes sense.