Adult attachment assessment in therapy: client and therapist experiences

Abstract

Introduction: Previous research has suggested the potential value of assessing client attachment styles (e.g., Burke, Danquah, & Berry, 2016; Quijada, Kwapil, Tizón, Sheinbaum, & Barrantes-Vidal, 2015), and the value of using assessments therapeutically (e.g., De Saeger, Bartak, Eder, & Kamphuis, 2016; Ward, 2008). There however appears limited research exploring the lived experience of assessing client attachment styles. The present study sought to address this gap in research by exploring the impact of learning and discussing client attachment styles in therapy, for both clients and psychologists.