Introduction to the attachment theory and its importance for psychotherapy

In the first part of this article we give a review of the basic concepts of attachment theory and summarize Bowlby's crucial thoughts about attachment. In the second part we introduce the traditional attachment methods with concrete cases. In this context we describe the transgenerational aspect of attachment and highlighten the bridge between infant attachment and adult attachment representation. Further we give a critical review about adult attachment measures. In the third part we consider implications of attachment theory in respect to psychopathology and psychotherapy.