Attachment therapy

Developed by Martha Welch holding therapy, which was translated into German by Jirina Prekop, is a non- recognized form of psychotherapy, clinging attachment disorders should be resolved in the "aggression -free" by intensive. The therapy was originally developed with the support of the behavioral scientist and Nobel laureate Nikolaas Tinbergen for children with attachment disorders and is used today by Prekop also in the context of family therapy in adults.

Target group

The therapy was developed for people with intellectual disabilities, autism, behavioral or mental disorders in which it is assumed that the processing of an attachment disorder is therapeutically useful.

Method

In the holding therapy, adults should look into mutual embrace while in the eye and hold it up in this confrontation appear first painful feelings, aggressive impulses or fears and be expressed and then until dissolve the negative feelings and sticking to the loving embrace is. Children are held by a close relation, rarely by a therapist in an embrace. The therapist should then support the expression of emergent Erregungsszuständen and aggression by encouraging them to " scold and weep " ( Prekop 1992). The duration of adherence to the process, without time limit, determined and should take place in a comfortable position, usually sitting or lying down. Ideally, the process should last until the excitement sets and a willingness to " joyful [n ] experience of tenderness " setting.

After Prekop adherence should not be used for punishment or punishment, nor by a caregiver who has inwardly aggressive or hostile responds to the child's behavior or previously abused the child.

Criticism

The method has been sharply criticized. It cites several reasons, among others, will the supporters of the accused method a misinterpretation of the reference literature. The Bremer educationalist George feuser thinks that the therapy is based on irrational beliefs and individual experiences of their representatives; they did not constitute conclusive therapeutic conception and have therefore, have no detectable therapeutic value. Georg Theunissen stated, here kick a " static unreflective thinking revealed that the mentally handicapped solely by its shortcomings ago [ consider ] ".

Finally, ethical and humane reasons are cited: The method is based on the use of force and is incompatible with the personal rights of the treated children. Is doubtful, as a "real" dialogue on violent action can be achieved.

Findings of the Court

Hold a person against their will or fix can meet various criminal offenses. Hold A person with violence is an inappropriate treatment that affects the physical well-being not only irrelevant. So This is therefore depending on the offender is a physical injury or maltreatment of charges. Here, however, would be the justification of consent to consider in the case of children by the parents, as well as the adherence to the defense of a self- harming behavior of the emergency. A final determination can only be made in individual cases, so therefore, in particular, would be to examine whether therapists utilize this therapy in a manner that is contrary to good morals, and thus the consent is irrelevant. Another problem represents the justification of punishment right of parents, which was severely restricted with the law banning violence in the education of 2 November 2000.

If the holding therapy is being abused for purposes of punishment, it is depending on the design to a banned corporal punishment and humiliating disciplinary measure within the meaning of § 1631 BGB. Since parents generally have no right to punish their children, they can not even to third parties, here the " therapists " are transmitted. Third parties have in principle no right to punish. Who physically punished as children of third parties or is under guardianship or persons subjected to degrading treatment is therefore always unlawful.

To deductibility of holding therapy in long-term care found the second chamber of the Social Court Ulm that the times for these in case an eleven year old, hyperactive child with hearing loss with disturbances of fine motor skills, moderate mental retardation, as well as residue in the social contact and language development to the time required for the basic care must be added.

In early March 2010 was initiated a criminal investigation against any employee of a group home for people with learning and mental disabilities as well as children with behavioral problems because of physical maltreatment of charges and imprisonment due to the use of holding therapy.