On the 2nd September 1990 the world lost one of its foremost psychological
visionaries. John Bowlby’s contribution to understanding the human condition, the
importance of caregiver-infant interactions, and how these provide a foundation for
not only relationships but also psychological functioning has had a profound
influence on social life, parenting and human affairs more broadly. The Bowlby
Centre has continued to promote the importance of Bowlby’s seminal idea, and their
25th anniversary conference in central London was a very fitting homage to Bowlby,
which honoured his legacy as well as how his ideas have translated into
contemporary clinical and research work, along with social policy.
Like Bowlby’s original contributions, the conference was unique, creative
and exciting in it’s flair, content and structure. The tradition of the audience being
exposed to individual papers was put to one side and leading figures in the
attachment world, or those heavily influenced by Bowlby’s work were teamed
together in groups of 3. One was appointed chair, and essentially moderated a
conversation between the other two, with one taking the lead in asking questions
and deepening the conversation, so an exploration and sharing of ideas ensued in
which the audience became intimately involved as observers, and later as
participants when questions, comments and reflections were invited. In this way the
audience was engaged in observing the questions, dialogue and exchange as if a
member of the observing or reflecting team in family therapy.
Book-ending the conversational-style format was an introduction by Mr
Mark Linington, chair of the Bowlby Centre Executive and closing remarks by Sir
Richard Bowlby and Dr Bob Marvin. The only other individual paper was given by
Prof. Brett Kahr and commenced the formal proceeding at the start of the day. He
presented a lucid historical tour de force of the cultural context that spawned the
ignorance and inhumane treatment of children, psychoanalytic thought, the
inhibition and eventual acknowledgement of interpersonal trauma in children, its
impact on psychological distress and the evolution of Bowlby’s thinking. This shook
people from their Saturday morning coffee and provided a further stimulant to
sustain attention for the remainder of the day. The conversational ‘papers’ had a
mix of clinical content and research endeavours, and commenced with Prof. Mary
Target in conversation with Dr Amanda Jones, discussing the influence of
attachment-informed interventions in Jones’ work in an NHS service with infant and
children. The impact of attachment and the importance of trauma-informed care
and service was a focal point of Dr Sandra Bloom’s conversation with Mark
Linington. The format was then broken up a little with Dr Valerie Sinason chairing
Dr Elizabeth Howell ‘s interview with Prof. Allan Schore via video-link on the
influence of attachment on neuroscience and trauma theory. This conversation
provided the first dedicated exposure of the day to attachment in the research
domain, which was followed up later in the day by conversation involving Profs.
Miriam and Howard Steele, Dr Karl Heinz Brisch, Dr Susie Orbach and the
author/broadcaster Oliver James. Attendees were left stimulated and exhausted,
which I’m sure would have brought a satisfied smile from Bowlby.
Martin Dorahy, Christchurch, New Zealand