Psychotherapeutic approaches to children in foster care: guidance from attachment theory

The diverse psychological and emotional problems of foster children are reviewed, and an explanatory, interactional model based upon the key concepts of developmental psychopathology is described. The constructs of the internal working model and interpersonal schema, derived from attachment theory, are pathogenic mechanisms that contribute to the emergence of psychopathology in this population. The paper presents a general orientation to therapeutic work with foster children and describes some specific interventions based upon this interactional model. While attachment theory has much to offer clinicians, insecure attachment is just one of a number of risk factors; a comprehensive approach, both in terms of conceptualizing foster childrens' problems and treating them, is essential.