This paper looks at the issues of time and timing in two therapeutic treatments of adolescent boys. One therapy is long-term (six years) and one short-term (six months). Both boys had developmental crises, which coalesced around a significant birthday. The paper addresses the impact of the external world on the work with both boys. In particular, the question of life-story work with looked-after children is examined, and the author proposes a radical development of technique in working with such children.