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Diane Powers, Psy.D., CADC
140 Palm Drive
Barrington, IL 60010-4901
This presentation describes Powers journey of discovery* of a conceptual clinical framework. During her pilgrimage, she developed an etiology of addiction, stalking and some violent behaviors which was conceived while writing her postdoctoral dissertation Stalking: A form of disordered attachment and mourning variant based upon John Bowl6b's theories of Attachment and Mourning. The presentation begins 6y considering two clinical questions which plagued her throughout her career, which began in 1976 as an addictions counselor: A) Why do apparently 'sane' individuals continue to repeat unhealthy, unproductive behaviors (i.e. addictions)? B) What role does loss (current or historical) play in these clients problems? Powers describes how her hypothesis evolved through the integration of her clinical and academic experiences. Her clinical experiences molded the manner in which she modified and integrated traditional psychological theories (Family Systems Theory and Bowlby's Theories), Ethology (behavioral biology) and, most recently, contributions from neuroscience.
To adequately demonstrate her hypothesis, a cursory review of Family Systems and its specific adaptation to the addictions field perspective is made. The inclusion of general theoretical concepts and related terms made by addiction theorists (i.e. co-dependency) complements this portion of the review. Then Powers presents the core of Bowlby's Attachment Theory--Normal Separation Reactions of Infants. The problems of anxious attachment patterns which can arise if particular parenting problems are present are also described. Powers interjects her conception of the way in which these problems can create the basis of Borderline, Dependency, Narcissistic, Avoidant, and Antisocial Personality Disorders and specific types of addictions and violent behaviors as well. For example: an infant demonstrating an anxious-avoidant attachment pattern could develop into a substance addict with an Avoidant and Antisocial Personality Disorder: An infant demonstrating an anxious-ambivalent-attachment pattern could develop into a batterer with a "Love/Relationship Addiction" and a Borderline, and/or Narcissistic and/or Antisocial Personality Disorder. Or, the other side of the dependency coin, an infant demonstrating an "anxious-ambivalent" attachment pattern could become a victim of domestic violence with a love/Relationships Addiction' and a Dependent Personality Disorder.
Ainsvortb's famous Strange Situation study (1978) that supported and embellished Bowlby's ideas regarding Infants Anxious Attachment Patterns is then presented after which Powers delivers Bartholomew's Model of Adult Attachment Patterns to demonstrate the development of "anxious attachments" from childhood to adulthood. The evolution of Bowlby'sInfant s Normal Separation Reactions into his Theories of Adult Normal and Disordered Mourning sets the stage for the presentation of Powers' Theory of the Etiology of Addiction, Stalking and some Violent Behaviors as Disordered Mourning Variants, which provides the basis for her Conceptual Clinical Framework and provides the answers to her heretofore unresolved clinical questions as well.
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