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This book by two child psychotherapists will be highly valued by a very wide readership — all those involved in the caring professions. It describes the nature and application of a psychodynamic approach to helping young people and families. It will be essential reading for psychiatrists, medical officers, psychologists, social workers, teachers, health visitors, occupational therapists, nurses, nursery workers, probation officers and many others wishing to make their contacts with clients, whether long or short term, more therapeutic. The book is of special interest to child psychotherapists as it is based on material from work discussion seminars, using the model of teaching which is the cornerstone of many courses at the Tavistock Clinic. The seminars described, however, took place in a different part of the country, a welcome extension of this approach to areas outside London.
The flavour of the work discussion seminar is reproduced in a vivid and interesting way, with observations and case material brought by many different professional workers. The description of the progress of the seminar, with varied, sometimes conflicting contributions to the discussion being offered by different members of the group, beautifully illustrates the process of trying to think together about the paticular issue or problem presented. The seminar leader presides over this process of discovering together in a way which facilitates thinking by the members, rather than offering prescriptive solutions. Of particular importance is the acknowledgement of feelings in both client and worker and the way understanding these can illuminate the work, in contrast to the wish to avoid them especially when painful.
The book therefore provides a very alive, dynamic model for learning and will be an inspiration to all those attempting to teach in this field.
The authors acknowledge their debt to psychoanalysis and particularly to Kleinian and post-Kleinian developments, Bion and Meltzer, for the the