To Be Met as a Person: The Dynamics of Attachment in Professional Encounters

This book is a thought-provoking read that sets out a framework for thinking about the way we interact with one another. It helps us make sense of the feelings we have when we are successful and not successful in providing help for other people. The author looks at the early research in psychotherapy on this subject and also at attachment theory and how this relates to adults. A series of experiments also explores the role of empathic attunement in effective caregiving.

About the Author :
Una McCluskey is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist and part time senior research fellow at the University of York. She runs nine-month courses in the UK and Ireland for those in the caring professions wishing to explore their own dynamics of attachment and exploratory interest sharing. She and Dorothy have established a training programme for professional caregivers and have set up a research project investigating data from transcripts of audio recordings of the experiential groups. She also consults to individuals, organisations and groups.

Review :
'This book takes you to the heart of what one needs to learn in order to be able to help those who seek care in social work, medicine or psychotherapy. Una McCluskey takes us a step further in understanding the interaction between careseekers and caregivers. Through her concept of "goal-corrected empathic attunement", based on recent research and empirically grounded theory, she teaches us how clinicians can be trained to become empathically attuned. This book is one of the best examples of clinically relevant research that I have encountered. It deserves to become a classic.'- Christer Sandahl, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; President of the International Association of Group Psychotherapy'This important and accessible book unravels what lies at the heart of human attachment and the therapeutic process. A "must-read" for caregivers of all persuasions, and for anyone interested in psychotherapy research.'- Christopher Clulow, Director of the Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships'Una McCluskey's work is much needed and very welcome! Building on her vast experience of clinical practice in social work, family therapy, and individual psychodynamic psychotherapy, she has produced a book of enormous importance and relevance for all of us in the caring professions.'- Susan Vas Dias, Attachment-based Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist (UKCP) & Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist (ACP)'Founded on an in-depth knowledge of her own and related fields, competently, rigorously and impressively researched, Dr McCluskey introduces her goal-corrected, empathic attunement. A "must-read" for all who wish to understand the connection between the dynamics of the systems of interactions now to early infant attachment experiences with their caregivers.'- Yvonne M. Agazarian, Ed.D., Systems-centered Training and Research Institute, Philadelphia, USA'This book should be of serious interest not only to psychotherapists and counsellors and those who train them but also to any professional who would want to meet a help-seeking person in a sensitive and responsive way.'- P.O. Svanberg, Consultant Clinical Psychologist; Head of Psychology Services (Sunderland)