Shelley Doctors, PhD, has furthered adolescent developmental theory by integrating theories of attachment and intersubjective systems with self psychology. We are including this important paper, originally published in 2000, to highlight her reformulation of the traditional concept of adolescent turmoil using a contemporary self psychological lens. This reformulation, that emphasizes the adolescent’s efforts to rework and maintain essential attachments, dovetails nicely with the influence of Anna Ornstein’s many contributions in expanding self psychology theory to include the treatment of children, adolescents and their parents.

Attachment-Individuation: Clinical Notes Toward a Reconsideration of “Adolescent Turmoil”

Shelley R. Doctors, Ph.D