American Psychiatric Association opposes ‘rebirthing therapy’

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has issued a position statement opposing the use of coercive holding techniques for treating children suffering from reactive attachment disorder (RAD), an uncommon condition characterised by inability to form emotional attachments. The statement notes that some children with RAD appear detached, unresponsive, inhibited, or reluctant to engage in age-appropriate social interactions, whereas other children with RAD may be overly social and familiar with strangers. These children may have had severe disruptions in their early relationships, suffered abuse, been seriously neglected and/or had traumatic losses or multiple changes in their primary caregiver. Coercion therapy (sometimes referred to as ‘rebirthing’) involves wrapping the child tightly in a blanket or other material for extended periods in an effort to simulate ‘rebirth’ and initiate a secure attachment between parent and child. The APA position statement notes that no scientific evidence supports the use of ‘rebirthing’ techniques and that a child has been suffocated during a treatment session.

http://www.psych.org/archives/200205.pdf