Name of Model
Circle of Security
Synonyms
COS; Circle of Security Intensive (COS-I); Circle of Security Parenting (COS-P)
Introduction
The Circle of Security (COS*) is both a framework (represented graphically) for understanding attachment relationships, as well as a strengths-based intervention approach (Powell et al. 2014). It provides concrete guidelines and clinical tools for relationship-focused prevention with families of young children in contexts of risk and/or early intervention with families showing caregiver-child relationship problems.
The COS* graphic (see COS Original Circle at http://circleofsecurityinternational.com/handouts) distils essential concepts of attachment theory and research, making them easily accessible to parents and practitioners. Of several COS* intervention variants, the two most widely disseminated are Circle of Security Intensive* (COS-I) and Circle of Security Parenting* (COS-P).
COS-I* is a psycho-educational and psychotherapeutic early intervention...
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References
Cassidy, J., Ziv, Y., Stupica, B., Sherman, L., Butler, H., Karfgin, A., et al. (2010). Enhancing attachment security in the infants of women in a jail-diversion program. Attachment & Human Development, 12(4), 333–353.
Cassidy, J., Woodhouse, S., Sherman, L., Stupica, B., & Lejuez, C. (2011). Enhancing infant attachment security: An examination of treatment efficacy and differential susceptibility. Development and Psychopathology, 23(1), 131–148.
Cassidy, J., Brett, B. E., Gross, J. T., Stern, J. A., Martin, D. R., Mohr, J. J., et al. (2017). Circle of Security-Parenting: A randomized controlled trial in Head Start. Development and Psychopathology, 29, 651–673. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579417000244.
Hoffman, K., Marvin, R., Cooper, G., & Powell, B. (2006). Changing toddlers’ and preschoolers’ attachment classifications: The Circle of Security intervention. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(6), 1017–1026.
Huber, A., McMahon, C., & Sweller, N. (2015a). Efficacy of the 20-week Circle of Security Intervention: Changes in caregiver reflective functioning, representations, and child attachment in an Australian clinic sample. Infant Mental Health Journal, 36(6), 556–574.
Huber, A., McMahon, C., & Sweller, N. (2015b). Improved child behavioural and emotional functioning after Circle of Security 20-week intervention. Attachment and Human Development, 17(6), 547–569.
Huber, A., McMahon, C., & Sweller, N. (2016). Improved parental emotional functioning after Circle of Security 20-week parent–child relationship intervention. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(8), 2526–2540.
Powell, B., Cooper, G., Hoffman, K., & Marvin, R. (2014). The Circle of Security Intervention: Enhancing attachment in early parent-child relationships. New York: Guilford.
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Huber, A., Hawkins, E., Cooper, G. (2019). Circle of Security. In: Lebow, J.L., Chambers, A.L., Breunlin, D.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_845
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_845
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