Narrative and attachment theory approaches in systemic family therapy with eating disorders

The paper proposes that recent developments in attachment theory, especially the move to the study of representations offers some helpful new directions for systemic family therapy. Some of the findings of a close association between early attachment experiences and the coherence of the narratives are reviewed. It is suggested that this offers a useful link for systemic approaches in showing how early interactions in families promote not only particular emotional attachment patterns, but also shapes the content and style of the narratives that are formed. These implications are then explored in the context of work with anorexia. It is suggested that commonly observed patterns, such as avoidance of conflict and apparent difficulties in discussing relationships and feelings is consistent with the parents' own experiences of insecure/avoidant attachments. Some implications for systemic therapy with families are outlined and illustrated with a case study of a course of family therapy. '...Life experience is richer than discourse. Narrative structures organize and give meaning to experience, but there are always feelings and lived experience not fully encompassed by the dominant story'.