Family Attachment Narrative Therapy was Developed by: Joanne C. May
Overview: "In 1995 a new family therapy methodology was developed by the author to address the difficulties experienced by behaviorally disturbed children and their adoptive or foster parents. This followed almost four decades of experience working with families and children in foster and adoptive homes, residential treatment facilities, and child guidance clinics. Many of these children experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment while living with their original families. Some had spent months or years living in a crowded, understaffed orphanage. Even though there was now an opportunity for a new beginning with loving, responsible parents, these children seemed forever imprisoned in a maladaptive past. The goal was to develop a nurturing, nonintrusive program that could heal the child's past and restore the capacity for positive family relationships. A primary component of the initial program design was the inclusion of stories or narratives told by the parent (May, 2000). Although the original theory and methodology were developed by this author [Joanne C. May], it is the narrative work of hundreds of parents that must be credited with the formation of the current model. The consistent psychological astuteness, articulated in parent narratives, had a direct impact on the refinement of theory and practice (Lacher, Nichols, & May, 2005) and the inclusion of adolescents and biological families in the target population. Eventually, the methodology came to be known as Family Attachment Narrative Therapy (Lacher et al., 2005; Nichols, Lacher, & May, 2002).
Based on attachment theory and research, Family Attachment Narrative Therapy is introduced as a new family therapy modality developed to heal the experience of early childhood maltreatment. Unresolved childhood trauma has been correlated with impaired and delayed cognitive, behavioral and emotional functioning. Gentle, soothing, nonprovocative and nonintrusive narratives told by parents provide an alternative restorative experience designed to shift and change the child's destructive internal working model. The result is improved functioning and the ability to accept nurturing and care in relationships that offer love and safety. A representative case example is used to illustrate theory, practice and outcome. Pre- and post therapy assessment supports the claim of improved functioning.
A child's ability to separate from a traumatic past and move forward with a sense of purpose and a belief in a better future seems to be dependent on a close relationship with a supportive adult (Egeland, Carlson, & Sroufe, 1993; Sroufe, 1997). Unfortunately, the experience of maltreatment seems to prevent many children from trusting adults that could provide restorative care and protection.
The inability to form a coherent strategy to ensure protection from the caregiver has also been identified in the narratives of maltreated children. Children exposed to disruption and family violence typically construct an incoherent, chaotic life narrative (Osofsky, 1993). Their stories frequently depict terrifying scenarios of violence and death without a comforting solution (Main, Kaplan, & Cassidy, 1985). In contrast, the stories of securely attached children seem to portray a fairytale motif in which the parent and child protagonists struggle, find a solution, and, ultimately, live happily ever after (Solomon, George, & DeJong, 1995). When faced with a frightening situation, the inability to contemplate a solution seems to retard developmental accomplishments and interfere with successful processing of subsequent traumatic experiences (Pynoos, Steinberg, & Goenjian, 1996). A coherent narrative reflects the child's ability to make sense of life experiences. The left hemisphere of the brain is used to tell the events of the story, whereas a right hemisphere function is necessary to incorporate the subjective, social, and emotional meaning of the internal life of the characters. Thus, a coherent narrative involves an integration of both hemispheres (Siegel, 1999; Siegel & Hartzell, 2003). Narrative memory refers to the stories that are used to store and recall life experiences. Children learn cultural roles and expectations by listening to narratives told by parents. Parents also use stories to communicate an understanding of the child's perceptions, beliefs, emotions, memories, and intentions (Siegel, 1999)."
The sharing of words between parent and child establishes the meaning of concepts, such as love, freedom, truth, good, and evil. As the child develops the capacity to use language to share thoughts and feelings with the parent, a common perspective is shared and internalized. In so doing, the child gains the capacity to take the point of view of another. This process of verbally interacting with others and with self is essential in the development of the ability to evaluate present behavior and attitudes and plan for change in the future." ~Excerpt from Find Articles
Official Website for Family Attachment Narrative Therapy: Family Attachment
Related Website for Family Attachment Narrative Therapy: Childwelfare.gov
Wikipedia's page for Family Attachment Narrative Therapy: None Listed
Resources related to Family Attachment Narrative Therapy: Family Attachment
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