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Case Reports
. 2016 Jan;42(1):91-105.
doi: 10.1111/jmft.12102. Epub 2014 Oct 20.

Attachment-Based Family Therapy With a 13-Year-Old Girl Presenting With High Risk for Suicide

E Stephanie Krauthamer Ewing  1 , Suzanne A Levy  1 , Linda Boamah-Wiafe  1 , Roger Kobak  2 , Guy Diamond  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Attachment-Based Family Therapy With a 13-Year-Old Girl Presenting With High Risk for Suicide

E Stephanie Krauthamer Ewing et al. J Marital Fam Ther. 2016 Jan.

Abstract

This article describes the application of Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) to the treatment of a 13-year-old female adolescent presenting with high risk of suicide, complicated by a history of depression and sexual trauma. The article begins with an overview of ABFT, including (a) how attachment theory guides treatment; (b) the structure of the clinical model; and (c) the data that provide empirical support. A case example is then presented that exemplifies the primary clinical procedures used to reach therapeutic goals in ABFT, including attachment repair and autonomy/competence promotion. Weekly changes in suicide ideation and depression scores are presented. The article concludes with a discussion about implications for family-based treatment of suicidal youth.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Depression assessed bi-weekly with the BDI-II during treatment. *Note: BDI-II score remained at 0 at all follow-up points (weeks 24, 32, 40, & 52).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Suicide ideation assessed weekly during treatment with the SIQ-Jr. (weekly version). *Note: SIQ-Jr score remained at 0 at all follow-up points (weeks 24, 32, 40, & 52).
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