Abstract
This study gathered qualitative data on the Developmental Repair Model from clinicians working with it currently. The research question that guided this research was: What are clinicians’ perspectives on the Developmental Repair Model (DRM). The research was gathered by collecting data through standardized, structured interviews with clinicians from an inner-city agency in the Midwest. Findings of this research include themes of unique ways clinicians made the DRM their own by: creating special visuals or techniques; ways clinicians modeled fixing mistakes or narrating their own emotions; how clinicians used the strengths perspective while working with families by understanding individual struggles; how clinicians received support through peer consultation; ways in which clinicians used their sense of self while working with children such as kneeling on the floor instead of standing over a child; how clinicians integrated the four domains of the DRM into their daily practice; and finally how clinicians perceive the DRM as a strengths-based model. This information adds to the growing discussion on children’s mental health concerns and what evidence-based models are currently being used to address such concerns. Additionally, this research encourages the continuation of placing importance of the special needs of children with disrupted attachment.