Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling
Published on: January 17, 2025
Psychodynamic mechanism and weight reduction in obesity group therapy - first observations with different attachment
Sybille Kiesewetter1, Andrea Köpsel, Werner Köpp
1Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
Objectives:
Successful long-term results are extremely rare in non-surgical obesity treatment. Interactional difficulties with the attending physicians and the limited compliance of obese patients are a frequently described dilemma in repeated psychotherapeutic group treatment attempts. The type of relationship initiation and the attachment behavior probably play a central role in this connection but have not yet been systematically investigated.
Methods:
This paper focuses on the attachment styles of obese subjects and their effects on psychodynamic group therapy within the context of a weight-reduction program.
Results:
The attachment styles are characterized in 107 pre-obese and obese patients, and their effects on patients and therapists in group therapy are described.
Conclusion:
The paper surveys the motivational situation, clinical pictures, and repeated group topics.
Related Concept Videos
Attachment Styles
Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
Psychodynamic Therapy
Relationship with Parents: Attachment
Hazan and Shaver's Attachment Styles
Psychodynamic Perspectives on Personality
Psychodynamic theorists argue that unconscious...

