Books
What Helps When Children and Families Struggle - An Attachment informed guide for clinicians and families
2025
John Stewart, Ph.D, Erin Belfort, MD., & Elizabeth Brenner, LCSW
Written for both families and clinicians, What Helps When Children and Families Struggle offers an introduction to attachment theory as it relates to family life. The authors weave a simple and clear discussion of what families can do to support strong connections and what to do when things have fallen off track. Consistent with a relational focus on mental health the authors strongly advocate the use of family therapy as the entry point to mental health services when a family member is struggling. Through the use of many illustrations and metaphors, the text is a highly practical guide for the ups and downs of family life. The text offers a broad overview of attachment informed strategies to support positive family dynamics. As well as discussion of family focused interventions related to a range of complicated dynamics and situations (i.e. ADHD, RAD, ASD.).
Review to be printed in the July 26' Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Summary: What Helps When Children and Families Struggle is an eloquent book, revealing a summary of attachment theory and family therapy written by experienced practitioners and educators. The book is accessible, enjoyable, enlight- ening, and convincingly describes how families fall into dysfunction and how family therapy can correct it. I recommend it to parents and students learning about this topic for the first time, as well as clinicians looking to better help struggling families heal.
Available in Paperback, Kindle and Audio
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1035842149/?bestFormat=true&k=what%20helps%20when%20children%20and%20families%20struggle&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k0_1_29_de&crid=28V83ZM479WXO&sprefix=what%20helps%20when%20children%20and%20
Attachment-Based Milieus for Healing Child and Adolescent Developmental Trauma - A Relational Approach For Use Settings From Inpatient Psychiatry to Special Education Classrooms
2017
John Stewart, Ph.D, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry Tufts School of Medicine
This book presents an innovative relational and community based therapeutic model to ensure children's essential attachment needs are catered for in intensive mental health care.
The text combines an overview of theory relating to attachment and trauma before laying out a model for working with children and adolescents in an attachment-informed way. The approach applies to a diverse range of settings - from in-patient psychiatric settings, through to schools-based programs, and provides the reader with the knowledge and guidance they need to introduce the approach in their own service. It also addresses the complexities of working with specific clinical populations, including children with ADHD, ASD, RAD and psychosis.
Accessible for entry level clinical caretakers, yet sophisticated enough for clinical supervisors, this book is essential reading for professionals looking to improve the effectiveness of child and adolescent treatment programs.
Forward by Dan Hughes, Ph.D.
Reviews
"The book is psychologically astute and sophisticated while also providing practical advice to those
working with traumatized children.
This is a must read if you love and/or work with traumatized kids."
"I work as a children’s occupational therapist with children affected by trauma. This book is so clearly written and offers practical ideas to help co-regulate children affected by trauma. This book is brilliant! A must read!"
Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Attachment-Based-Milieus-Healing-Adolescent-Developmental/dp/1785927906/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2HUJQJN9XB5SP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.o5QvxvgBH7jcyegiCBj6mTycSb3Tjxa045OC9KzTwTEvlYjJEpPCZvk5_384lBrxYgVAY3AZ5xoPIdvyEl_Pcg2k7r2khjGNXPx6XZ-eAA5FGdw-qHiUen3ZO-bxPhT3xDWPIdDvNaO5nmbaYeoYknRDEVFVmBhSEYvNb_t9x2B72tqigkFZJlkQ3QDwGimaxXwoUnropPJX3bW_fANis_0IEiPFaDokTsR0YRKAx0s.Yc1qCzS0j6kMOkWoeHqLsSIYFKdD_WexcD1ZZbWzOzs&dib_tag=se&keywords=Attachment-Based+Milieus+for+Healing+Child+and+Adolescent+Developmental+Trauma&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1775682138&sprefix=%2Caps%2C783&sr=8-1
Beyond Time Out
A practical guide to understanding and serving students with behavioral impairments in the public schools - HCA Publishing, 2002, US
Available through Amazon
