Contemporary Child Psychotherapy

'The spirit of this book resides in its abiding pursuit of greater integration – integration of all sorts, whether it be the bringing together of the many facets of ourselves or of the systems which surround us; or whether it be the numerous ways of understanding and improving the often tragic lives of some of the children it serves. One of the remarkable qualities of this book is its readiness to embrace a whole array of different theories and therapeutic approaches to enable children, and the adults around them, to make sense of the various pieces of their troubled childhoods and thus generate hope for the future. For twenty years, the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education (IATE) has built a four-year training programme in integrative child psychotherapy that forcefully draws on the imagination of the arts, the insights of psychoanalysis, the discoveries of neuroscience, and the body realities of biology and physiology. The training is without doubt a thorough and strenuous experience and calls forth not only the academic abilities of trainees but, more importantly, their capacities to observe and reflect on their own emotional experiences.'

-- Peter Wilson, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and founder and former director of YoungMinds

'This is a collection of lively and creative clinical chapters on contemporary child psychotherapy edited by two very experienced child psychotherapists. The book provides a carefully thought through way of working, a particular “blend” of integrative theoretical approaches and skills. The authors draw from the best aspects of the integrative approach, including the use of the arts, and these are combined with key psychoanalytic ingredients – such as working with the transference and countertransference processes. All the different ingredients have been put together thoughtfully and with great care. The clinical examples demonstrate the significance of empathic attunement and the centrality of the therapeutic relationship. Finally we have a text that can provide helpful and user-friendly ways to work with children in an integrative way – valuing the arts and the metaphors which emerge in therapeutic play, utilising psychodynamic thinking, and providing links to the latest neuroscience research. With the help of the vividly described case studies, I have no doubt that this book will be essential reading for students on child counselling and psychotherapy courses, as well as being important for other mental health professionals seeking contemporary ways of working therapeutically with children.'

-- Dr Zack Eleftheriadou, parent–infant and child psychotherapist, chartered psychologist, and fellow of the British Psychological Society

'This wonderful collection of papers offers child and adolescent psychotherapists invaluable insights into the many facets of an integrative training. They fit together into a containing, mindful cradle of concern and safety. Wise voices, some newly qualified, some with many years of experience, encourage owning the pain of inevitable mis-attunement, working with one foot in the ditch, one foot on the bank to enable being alongside the children we work with while remaining anchored enough to think and feel clearly. Inspirational stories of observation and working with children through metaphor, story, and art materials are underpinned by the vital role countertransference and mentalization play in both therapy and supervision. I wish such a helpful, wise, encouraging resource had existed when I first set out on the exciting, often daunting, journey of child psychotherapy.'

-- Griselda Kellie-Smith, retired psychotherapist and supervisor and co-founder of B.A.S.E.® Babywatching UK

'When it comes to the mental health of children and their families, it is vital that the best thinking and practice is utilised in our therapeutic work. This is what readers will find in this unique book which integrates key ideas and theories in child psychotherapy that have been found to be the most effective. The thinking comes alive through case examples showing transformative and often touching work with traumatised children. It embraces the latest research in neuroscience, psychoanalysis, attachment theory, and developmental approaches, which have shifted our understanding of how trauma affects both the minds and bodies of children. There is no one particular way of therapeutic work that is effective for all children; we need to be flexible and knowledgeable enough of different techniques and ideas to help children, wherever they are and however difficult their experience. Here, the multi-theoretical approach and depth of thinking drawn from different child therapy disciplines makes this a vital, playful, and rewarding read for students and experienced practitioners alike.'

-- Jane O’Rourke, psychodynamic child, adolescent, and family psychotherapist and founder of MINDinMIND

'This book is a vital resource for anyone working therapeutically with children. The easily accessible language and moving case examples will touch the hearts of readers, not just their minds. So many child counselling and psychotherapy books fail to address what the practitioner did or said. In contrast, in this book there is a wealth of verbatim sections of actual sessions. This brings the children discussed to life, and clearly demonstrates the process of both therapeutic engagement and relational change. The book consistently supports the integration of different ways of working, bringing together traditional ideas from psychoanalysis with new cutting-edge and evidence-based interventions. Throughout, the authors demonstrate how integration serves children far better than sticking rigidly to one approach or methodology. The use of play and the arts are integral to the text, demonstrating just how profoundly they can provide in-depth and psychologically safe exploration of core pain when everyday words fail to do justice to the child’s experience. In summary, a fabulous read that just flows off the page, supporting best practice for those who are working therapeutically with children or who want to do so.'

-- Dr Margot Sunderland, co-founding director of the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education, director of Education and Training for the Centre of Child Mental Health, and co-director of Trauma Informed Schools UK

‘[T]his book is truly engaging. At times, the material and clinical perspectives are absorbing. The structure of the book seeks to demonstrate the approach through a range of writers of varying level of experience and training, providing a developmental experience in itself. It is not a book that needs necessarily to be read in a linear fashion, from start to finish, but rather becomes a handbook of ICPT that can be dipped into as needed.’

-- Paddy Martin, Gwent Parent Infant Mental Health Service, 'Journal of Child Psychotherapy', 48:3

‘significant and comprehensive […] The book is a significant contribution to the understanding and practice of child psychotherapy, which is revealed on its pages to support children in moving forward in their often difficult lives, offering precious opportunities to build better relationships with themselves and others. Additionally, the book supports child psychotherapists, individually and as a profession, to see how different theoretical approaches can speak to each other, and be deployed in complementary ways, with flexibility and fluency. Such an approach speaks to the intersubjectivity which is at the heart of the therapy relationship.'

-- Tamsin Cottis, child psychotherapist, UKCP, BJP