Although, initially, the Kestenberg Movement profile was linked closely to Anna Freud's psychosexual stage theory (Kestenberg, 1975), in more recent years, close-observational work extending clinical theory, has integrated the KMP in a more general psychodynamic and object relational theory of development. For example, Kestenberg and Buelte (1977a,b; 1983), described maternal and infantile movement patterns, and the mutual holding pattern between parent and child. They refer to the role of tension flow as the "ground from which empathy arises", and to patterns of shape flow as   "mutual relatedness form which trust arises." (p.346). Tension flow refers also to the concept of resonance, linking the mutual flow of attunement, e.g. of breathing between parent and child to the development of empathy; the mutual adjustment of body shape (Shape flow) in inhalation and exhalation (growing together in inhale and away from each other in exhale) is linked to the development of trust.

Kestenberg points out that as the caregiver attunes to the child, and the child follows the parent's lead in attuning and shifting levels of tension, inevitable breaches of attunement occur as one member of the dyad uses separation rhythms, or attends for a moment more to self regulation. This is an important phase in mutual regulation as it serves in the development of boundaries and feelings of self before shifting attention back to the other member of the dyad.   Similar to recent research of Gianino and Tronick (1988) and, Beebe and Lachmann (1994), Kestenberg (1985a) points out that an attempt for perfect attunement is not useful, rather, that clashing is an essential aspect in the relationship as the ability to cope with, and repair ruptures is developed.   This concept was already mentioned by Kestenberg in 1965 in a presentation; she understood that full "sameness" was not ideal, i.e. that there is an optimal degree of resonance, or consonant co-action that is necessarily imperfect (in Kestenberg, 1975, Ch. 6).

As Kestenberg continued her exploration, she examined paternal attitudes, investigated the experiences of the dyad, especially the flow of empathy and trust, and their implication in adult psychoanalysis. She went on to focus on negotiation processes, rupture and repair in the dyad, and to write about fetal experiences and early attachment relationships (Kestenberg, 1982; 1985a,b, 1987; 1990). Further studies based on her work include the study of narcissism (Kestenberg & Borowitz, 1990). In the theory-building literature, (Kestenberg & Sossin, 1979; Sossin, 1987, 1993; Sossin & Loman, 1992; Loman, 1990) published comprehensive papers outlining the theory and implications of the KMP. Because the KMP is developmentally organized, it specifically allows for an application in the field of parent/infant psychotherapy (Sossin, 1999), in prevention and pre- and neonatal conditions (Sossin, 1993), as well as in fetal movement notation (Loman 1992, 1994).