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Cited by 91Psychotherapy Techniques and ApplicationsCounseling, Therapy, and Family DynamicsAttachment and Relationship Dynamics

Attachment-based family therapy: Theory, clinical model, outcomes, and process research

Open access
Diamond, Guy, Diamond, Gary M., Levy, Suzanne·2021·Journal of Affective Disorders
DOI 10.1016/j.jad.2021.07.005PMC PMC8489519
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Abstract

Attachment-based family therapy (ABFT; Diamond G.S. et al., 2014) is an empirically supported treatment designed to capitalize on the innate, biologically based, caregiving instinct and adolescent need for attachment security. This therapy is grounded in attachment and emotional processing theory and provides an interpersonal, process-oriented, trauma-informed approach to treating adolescents struggling with suicide and associated problems such as depression and trauma. ABFT offers a clear structure and road map to help therapists quickly address the attachment ruptures that lie at the core of family conflict, which can fuel adolescent distress. Several clinical trials and process studies have demonstrated empirical support for the model and its proposed mechanisms of change. In this paper, we provide an overview of the theories underlying the model, the clinical strategies that guide the treatment, the outcome research that demonstrates efficacy, and the process research that explores the proposed mechanisms of change.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jad.2021.07.005

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111 of 111 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • ABFT has gained empirical support for the treatment of adolescents and young adults struggling with depression and suicidality mostly in outpatient studies.

    “This model has gained empirical support for the treatment of adolescents and young adults struggling with depression and suicidality mostly in outpatient studies [25].”

    From Evaluating attachment-based family therapy in residential treatment in the United States: does adolescents' increased attachment security to caregivers lead to decreases in depressive symptoms? (2024) · cites this paper as [25]

    The Clinical Trials Research and Fully Powered Randomized Controlled Trial sections report evidence for ABFT in adolescents with depression or suicidal ideation, and the Conclusion describes effective outpatient therapy. The paper also discusses ABFT with young adults, but that study concerns unresolved anger toward parents; it does not establish support for treating depression or suicidality in young adults. No page numbers were available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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5 of the 116 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 8

  1. Baudinet J, Smith K, Wilde H, Russell D, & MCCAED Team. (2020). Adapting attachment-based family therapy for young people with eating disorders. In Heiden-Rootes K, Adaptation research in attachment-based family therapy. National Council on Family Relations [ Online Symposium].
  2. Bowlby J (1969). Attachment and loss: Attachment (vol. 1). Basic Books.
  3. DeLuca S, & Diamond GS (2014). The effects of specific alliance-building techniques on the parent-therapist alliance in attachment-based family therapy [ Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.
  4. Diamond GM, Hogue A, Diamond GS, & Siqueland L (1996). Scoring manual for the Therapist Behavior Rating Scale (TBRS-3; 3rd ed.) [ Unpublished manuscript]. Center for Family Intervention Science, Children’s Hospital.
  5. Johnson SM (2004). The practice of emotionally focused couple therapy: Creating connection (2nd ed.). Brunner-Routledge.
  6. Manasse SM, Russon J, Levy S, Abber S, King A, Lampe E, Trainor C, & Diamond G (2021). An initial case series examination of attachment-based family therapy for adolescent bulimia spectrum eating disorders. Paper to be presented at the International Conference on Eating Disorders (Virtual).
  7. Russon J, Morrissey J, * Dellinger J, Jin B & Diamond G (in press). Implementing attachment-based family therapy for depressed and suicidal adolescents and young adults in LGBTQ+ services: Feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness. The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention. 34519544
  8. Russon J, * Smithee L, * Simpson S, Levy S, & Diamond G (2021). Demonstrating attachment-based family therapy for transgender and gender diverse youth with suicidal thoughts and behavior: A case study. Family Process. doi: 10.1111/famp.12677 34046893 · DOI

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Authors
Diamond, G., Diamond, G. M., & Levy, S.
Affiliations
  • Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (IL)
  • Drexel University (US)
Corresponding author
Diamond, Guy
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Affective Disorders
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-11
Volume
294
Pages
286-295
ISSN
0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jad.2021.07.005
PMC
PMC8489519
OpenAlex
W3185438213
Cited by
91
References
116
Citations by year
2026: 29 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 3
FWCI
1.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
  • National Institute of Mental Health
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
Keywords
attachment-based family therapy, adolescent suicide, attachment security, family conflict, depression, trauma, emotional processing, trauma-informed care, mechanisms of change, treatment efficacy
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Emotions, Family Therapy, Humans, Object Attachment, Suicide, Family Conflict

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