THE THERAPIST AS ATTACHMENT FIGURE

This article focuses on the ways in which psychotherapists function as attachment figures for their patients and the implications of this ph enomenon for clinical work. It is shown that, although there are multi ple commonalities between childhood attachments and the patient-therap ist relationship (e.g., the provision of a secure base for exploration ), the latter relationship is necessarily mediated by unique temporal, financial, structural, and ethical boundaries that render it signific antly different from childhood attachment relationships. Viewing the t herapist as an attachment figure can offer new perspectives on therape utic work, particularly in regard to dealing with boundary issues (e.g ., separations and reunions).