Parent & Child Relationship: the Dyad Therapy

By Aiala

Dyad Psychotherapy

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy is a treatment approach for families that helps children with symptoms of emotional disorders, including Complex Trauma and disorders of attachment.

It was originally developed by psychologist Daniel Hughes as an intervention for children whose emotional distress resulted from earlier separation from familiar caregivers. Hughes cites attachment theory and particularly the work of John Bowlby as theoretical motivations for dyadic developmental psychotherapy.

Dyadic developmental psychotherapy is based on the theory that maltreated infants not only frequently have disorganized attachments but also, as they mature, are likely to develop rigid self-reliance that becomes a compulsive need to control all aspects of their environment[i].

Parent-child-dyad art therapy is an interesting and innovative art therapy, in which parent and child share the production of an artwork. Aiming to reinforce or re-establish bonds between children and parents, it provides a space where parents' early unresolved conflicts and children's developmental abilities can be expressed[ii].

 I believe that small children and their parents can gain a lot from it and maybe in some cases even more than regular separated therapy. I base this idea on the attachment theory as well, were the child’s self is built upon the relationship with his parents, especially with the mother. Also, a mother with narcissist tendencies could learn to see her child as a different and separated object, instead of an extension of her own self. This way, she could relate to her child according to his needs, and not as a object for healing her unmet expectations or unhealed inner child.

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[i] http://carolgolly.com/therapy-services/dyadic-therapy.html

[ii] Lucille Proulx, Strengthening Emotional Ties through Parent-Child-Dyad Art Therapy - Interventions with Infants and Preschoolers