ABSTRACT
Once a therapist finds a theory useful in making sense of the client's predicaments he tends to become attached to it, although he may modify it. Attachment theory is relatively new, but many of its basic concepts are implicit or explicit within theories in common use. This chapter discusses the part the concept of caregiving plays in many of the major theoretical statements used by therapists in a variety of settings. It considers that Harry Guntrip's description of how to relate therapeutically to a client matches, in large measure, understanding of companionable supportive caregiving. The chapter examines that Heinz Kohut's concept of the functions of the self object is close to concept of the internal supportive system. It argues that H. A. Bacal's concept of the therapist's overall provision of responsiveness that is optimal for the client is of major significance for therapy.
