With the exception of the second of the Rustins’ three papers on the Pullman trilogy, this special edition of the Journal is entirely devoted to research and we are delighted that Miriam Steele kindly agreed to be guest editor.

We would emphasise, however, that given the pressing need for child psychotherapists to engage with the research agenda, we do not envisage that research papers will be confined to such one-off special numbers but will increasingly be a regular feature of the journal. We would welcome the submission of such papers.