Introduction: This study aims to describe psychotherapists usage of the attachment-theory in their clinical work with patients and families engaged inpsychotherapy.Issues: How do psychotherapists describe their usage of the attachment-theory in their work with patients? What is the psychotherapists experience of the consequences of a deficient attachment? What do the psychotherapist think of the possibilities of repairing deficient attachment.
Method: This study has a qualitative run-up. The study is based on four interviews to get a deeper understanding of how psychotherapists use theattachment-theory in their clinical work. The interviewer is semi-structured.
Results: The attachment-theory is used by psychotherapists in their clinical work, at least by the psychotherapists in this study. The theory is used as an implement to get a deeper understanding of the patient. This by thinking about the quality of the meeting and by being responsive to what the patients says and how they say it.
Discussion: The results shows that the attachment-theory can constitute a support in work to understand and help patients in the process to move on. It also shows that a healthy attachment can prevent later psychopathology.