I recently came across the following review of my book A Short Introduction to Attachment and Attachment Disorder. The review was written by Philippa Kelly, a Social Work Consultant who works with foster parents. It appeared in the Journal of Mental Health (2011, 20(5), p.504).

The reason I am posting this review to my blog, apart from it being positive and good for the ego(!), is that it encapsulates what was my intention when writing the book.

Having read A Short Introduction to Attachment Disorder from cover to cover on a number of occasions, I believe this book would be of great interest to any professional who works with children from foster carers, social workers to Clinical Nurse Specialists, but particularly those working with children and young people who have emotional or mental health difficulties or children who are being looked after. It gives a good insight into the difficulties faced when caring for or supporting children who have attachment disorders or difficulties. It is well organised and is surprisingly jargon free.

I found that Pearce has written an easy to read but comprehensive description of attachment disorders and the implications of attachment disorders for children and the person caring for them. There is a clear explanation as to how attachment disorders develop, the differing types of attachment disorders and the presentation of these. The book then proceeds to inform the reader of practical ways to parent and support children who have these difficulties. It highlights both in written and pictorial form the issues of children who have experience early life adversity. The ideas that Pearce presents with regard to parenting children with these difficulties are straight forward, ensuring the read believes that they have the skills to make a difference to the children.

The case study at the end of each chapter brings to life the theory and ideas that Pearce has presented, highlighting how they can be observed or used in practice. There is a clear summary following this which enables the reader to reflect on the main points.

The usefulness of this book, for any professional working with children and young people who have any kind of attachment difficult cannot be over stated. For those who have a limited knowledge, it is accessible, informative and practical, for those who have a greater knowledge, it highlights in jargon free language the importance of understanding attachment, but also gives the practical advice on how we can begin to affect change for children with attachment disorders.