This episode focuses on attachment theory and its place in philosophy and therapy. Although attachment has been central to psychology, it has received little attention in philosophical discussions, largely because philosophy has traditionally focused on adulthood rather than childhood. We look at how attachment theory can help therapists understand clients, but also at its limitations, particularly the way it often blames caregivers without recognising their own humanity and the social contexts in which they live.

We then consider the moral responsibility of the therapist in relation to the caregiver, and how this responsibility extends beyond the immediate client. Drawing on Simone de Beauvoir, we frame adulthood as the development of responsibility, for oneself, for others, and for the wider networks of care that shape human life. The episode connects these ideas to the everyday realities of therapy and the ethical complexities of care.