Citation

Krauthamer Ewing ES, Levy SA, Boamah-Wiafe L, Kobak R, Diamond G. J. Marital Fam. Ther. 2014; 42(1): 91-105.

Affiliation

Drexel University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/jmft.12102

PMID

25329356

Abstract

This article describes the application of Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) to the treatment of a 13-year-old female adolescent presenting with high risk of suicide, complicated by a history of depression and sexual trauma. The article begins with an overview of ABFT, including (a) how attachment theory guides treatment; (b) the structure of the clinical model; and (c) the data that provide empirical support. A case example is then presented that exemplifies the primary clinical procedures used to reach therapeutic goals in ABFT, including attachment repair and autonomy/competence promotion. Weekly changes in suicide ideation and depression scores are presented. The article concludes with a discussion about implications for family-based treatment of suicidal youth.

Language: en