Safety, Danger, and Protection in the Family and Community: A Systemic and Attachment-informed Approach

This book provides an analysis of the meaning of safety and security across the contexts of community and public life, throughout the life span, and within a therapeutic framework, examining threats and the strategies for coping with them.

The book starts in Part I with a discussion of general safety and security concepts in the socio-cultural context. Part II of the book details the role of a sense of security in psychological assistance, psychotherapy and supervision, while Part III centres on safety and security at different life stages. Drawing on the tenets of modern attachment theory and trauma theory, chapter authors address questions of safety, danger, and protection for both individuals and groups, across a variety of fields of knowledge and expertise. Themes such as loneliness, play and exploration, evil and forgiveness, health and death, and spirituality and healing are discussed as practice examples, learning points, and tips.

A wide range of health and social care professional practitioners will find this book useful in exploring social, interpersonal, and psychological aspects of safety and security.

Szymon Chrząstowski, PhD, is a lecturer at Warsaw University and has an independent psychotherapy practice. He specialises in attachment narrative therapy and his research focuses on safety/security as an everyday experience. He resides in Poland and Portugal.

Arlene Vetere, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and systemic psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer. She is Professor Emeritus of family therapy and systemic practice at VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway. She resides in the UK.