Dr Eileen Bradbury is a clinical counsellor in the department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Withington Hospital, Manchester, UK, and a lecturer in Health Psychology at the University of Manchester, UK. She is on the Royal College of Surgeons Steering Group on Audit in Cleft Lip and Palate.

• 1. Disfigurement and its treatment. 2. The psychological and social effects.3. Helping processes.4. Qualities of a skilled helper.5. Building relationships.6. Identifying problems.7. Working together to meet the aims.8. Help for the helper.