The Process of Constructing the Self and Its Relation to Psychotherapy

Published in Spanish as: Crittenden, P.M. (2000). Moldear la arcilla. El proceso de construción del self y su relación con la psicoterapia. Revista de Psicoterapia, 41, 67-82, dedicated to Vittorio Guidano. Molding Clay:
The Process of Constructing the Self and Its Relation to Psychotherapy
Patricia M. Crittenden Address for correspondence: Patricia M. Crittenden 9481 SW 147 St. Miami, FL 33176 305-256-9110; 305-251-0806 fax pmcrittenden@worldnet.att.net Running Head: Molding clay
Cognitive psychotherapists are concerned with the implications of the self and the process of construction of self for psychotherapy. This paper considers what attachment theory, with its emphasis on developmental processes and the protective function of attachment figures, together with current information from the cognitive neurosciences, can contribute to an understanding of psychological disorders of the self (Guidano, 1995a). From the perspective of attachment theory, the self can be considered an interactive, emergent process of intra- and interpersonal organization. Psychotherapy can be viewed as a time-limited corrective attachment relationship, implying that application of attachment theory may be useful in understanding the therapeutic relationship.