Building the Bonds of Attachment presents a compound case study in order to convey the story of many children after years of abuse and neglect. Weaving theory and research into a powerful narrative, Hughes offers effective methods to facilitate attachment in children who have experienced severe trauma. The text emphasizes both specialized psychotherapy and parenting strategies that are necessary to facilitate the psychological development of the child and create safe attachment. Hughes presents an integrated intervention model that combines attachment theory and trauma with the latest research, as well as the general principles of parenting and child and family therapy.

This book seeks to describe the difficult journey required to understand and help children who suffered serious ill-treatment and neglect and who do not develop the security of attachment with their adoptive and host parents. In this work the author has chosen to use a composite case study in order to convey the history of many of these children and families. Each child is unique and presents with a constellation of factors that are relevant to their life. Interventions that a particular child needs may not be worth to another. That is why the general principles of intervention, both at home and in therapy, are presented here for traumatized children who do not manifest rejuntation security. At the same time, it is attempted that both therapists and parents can immediately recognize and identify with this story.