1. a perspective, underlying an integrative form of psychotherapy, that focuses on changing a client’s nonconscious and maladaptive beliefs developed in childhood due to thwarted attempts to achieve attachment and safety in the client’s family. The client is seen to have an inherent motivation toward health that results in testing these beliefs through transference and through passive-into-active behaviors; when such testing is productive, the client is then free to pursue adaptive goals. [developed by U.S. psychiatrist Joseph Weiss]

2. an integrative approach to child development that focuses on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors resulting from children’s needs for attachment and safety in the family.