A Family Functional Formulation Using the Dynamic Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation

Abstract

Attachment is becoming an important topic for psychologists and professionals from related areas, although this is a construct that has being used very vaguely by professionals. This paper aims to introduce what the theoretical approach of the Dynamic Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation developed by Patricia Crittenden can offer to therapists as an alternative to the more known and widely used by professionals ABC+D model. Therefore, it presents the developmentally designed assessment tools that can be used within this attachment approach, detailing some of them, to then describe how the model can guide case formulation around the ideas of information processing and protection from danger. As an example, a Family Functional Formulation, with a mother and her two daughters involved with Social Services in Spain, is presented in detail.