This article presents the author's observations on a clinical extract which describes a child psychotherapist working with Maya, a seriously ill child, in a hospital. The author said that the hospital setting raises the question of what it is like to apply child psychotherapists' thinking within a hospital setting, and how they adapt the way they…

As psychotherapists in hospitals, they need as holistic an understanding as possible of the organisation, its anxieties, defences and ways of splitting and projecting what is unbearable, frightening, incomprehensible, and besides this, they need to understand they fit in. In this article, the author shares her comments on a clinical extract…

This moving clinical account describes the psychotherapeutic work of a child psychotherapist undertaken in a hospital room with 13-year-old Maya, after the sudden onset of a terrifying and serious illness, Guillain-Barre syndrome, leaving her with paralysis and extreme weakness. The first session takes place almost three weeks after Maya's…

This is an edited version of a recent interview with Annette Mendelsohn, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist at the Royal Free Hospital, London, UK. It aims to make available in published form Mendelsohn's thinking and approach in relation to her work with traumatised children in a hospital setting. Mendelsohn also discusses her work in a…

This paper argues that siblinghood has had an important place in child psychotherapy thinking for many decades. Both psychoanalytic observation of young children and clinical experience have contributed to this. It discusses some reasons for the renewed interest in siblings in the wider psychoanalytic field and emphasises the existential threat to…

Since Freud's own time, there has been great deal of debate about the most appropriate research methodology for investigating psychoanalytic psychotherapy [Fonagy, "Journal of Child Psychotherapy", 29 (2): 129-136, 2003; Rustin, "Journal of Child Psychotherapy", 29 (2): 137-145, 2003]. The single case study, which has a long tradition both within…

J. M. Barrie's popular story of Peter Pan depicts the never-neverland of an endless happy childhood. Analysis of the story and of J. M. Barrie's personal background, however, reveals that the tale is a conflicted solution to and separation from early childhood losses and disappointments. Themes of separation and reunion, redesertion and revenge…

Describes how the story form was used as a device to involve an emotionally and sexually abused youngster in the therapeutic process, finding a link that allowed her to move from her bleak world into a search for beauty, hope, survival, and finally, the celebration of her strong and violated young body. (SR)

This paper considers the meaning, reference and clinical relevance of Winnicott's concept of "riddance". Taking its starting point from the infant's behaviour in letting go the spatula, as described in his paper, "The observation of infants in a set situation", it explores his explanation of riddance activity in the context of…

Identifies family factors related to child psychopathology and argues that researchers and clinicians interested in the question of family involvement should increase their focus on the presence of family process variables that may be actively contributing to the child's difficulties. Outlines research issues and clinical guidelines. (Author/NB)

Responds to comments made in previous article by Emery, Fincham, and Cummings concerning Fauber and Long's (1991) discussion of family's role in child psychotherapy. Attempts to clarify areas of possible confusion, including meaning of "contextual variables," parenting as appropriate focus of treatment, assumptions about what is meant by…

Depicts experiences of two young girls and their coping/growing strategies following father's suicide. Describes hallmarks of meaningful growth and healing as including embracing all confused feelings (guilt, anger, abandonment, embarrassment, sadness, fear of losing surviving parent, and changes). Finds underlying theme of adjustment in…

Presents an interview with author Chris Crutcher, writer of numerous award-winning books for adolescents. Discusses his new books, his writing process, censorship challenges, truth and fear, and his work as a child therapist. (SR)

Current legal issues involved in cases against therapists working with child sexual abuse victims are reviewed. Changes in the legal climate over the past decade are described. Issues involved in the "false memory" attack are discussed. Techniques for risk management and the current situation in the media are discussed. (EMK)

Describes psychological techniques, such as distraction and hypnotic imaginative involvement techniques, which have been found effective among chronically ill children and their parents in reducing anxiety and distress, and increasing the ability to cope with taxing medical procedures. Cases from research conducted in Vancouver, British Columbia…