A Tribute to Dr Nina Coltart

To behave as if - even worse, to believe that - we can treat anyone and anything with a hope of providing real help is to be caught into omnipotence, and the idealization both of psychoanalysis and of ourselves.

Nina Coltart's work exemplifies the very best aspects of psychoanalysis - poetry and integrity, honesty and intuition, knowledge and uncertainty, silence and conversation. As a personality she created a deep impression on all who came into contact with her. The loss of her unique presence is still acute, but the rare quality of Dr Coltart's contribution will live on.

My perspective starts from the early 1980s when I, like scores of other psychotherapy trainees, benefited enormously from Nina's encouragement. If you sent a letter (she was a great letter writer) it was usual to receive a reply by return of post. She would gladly comment on essays, advise on career moves, refer patients, write references for many of us setting out. Nina typified the kind of great aunt any young woman embarking on a difficult career could wish for - warm, sanguine and incredibly facilitating. At the same time she was never sentimental, and her warmth was measured and containing. Although she was friendly, our relationship remained professional. I will always be grateful to Nina for her humanity, dedication and sense of humour. It was a great honour to have known her.

I have a vivid memory of the first time I saw Nina, perhaps mostly because it was the very first analytic lecture that I had ever attended. All of us study the person on the stage in a very particular way - after all we are allowed, even encouraged to stare. And a person sitting quietly by a table and looking slightly down created a striking picture. This was my first sight of Dr Coltart. As people entered the cold and lofty hall where the talk was to take place, every now and then someone would greet her and she would look up, smile (that incredible warm smile which made her eyes sparkle), nod, sa