Mary Boston – författare

Many parents at some time dread that a child of theirs may be mentally ill or disturbed. But even after a generation of child psychology, psychiatry and psychotherapy, they still frequently fear to admit their fears, and fear the mystery of the remedy as much as the mystery of the problem. It is therefore important that parents should come to easy terms with the work of the psychotherapist, and be reassured that it is based on sympathetic understanding, not mysteries. It was to explain themselves to parents and others who work with other young people that sixteen psychotherapists and analysts (mostly following the principles of Anna Freud or Melanie Klein and largely drawn from the Hampstead Child Therapy and the Tavistock clinics in London) decided to collaborate in the preparation of this book. In it they set out to describe their work in schools, hospitals, clinics, day centres, etc and to discuss their fundamental approach to the treatment of the disturbed child.

This book draws on the experience of some eighty severely deprived children referred for individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy to the Tavistock and other clinics and schools in the London area. It describes how child psychotherapists found themselves treating the severely deprived children.

Many parents at some time dread that a child of theirs may be mentally ill or disturbed. But even after a generation of child psychology, psychiatry and psychotherapy, they still frequently fear to admit their fears, and fear the mystery of the remedy as much as the mystery of the problem.It is therefore important that parents should come to easy terms with the work of the psychotherapist, and be reassured that it is based on sympathetic understanding, not mysteries.It was to explain themselves to parents and others who work with other young people that sixteen psychotherapists and analysts (mostly following the principles of Anna Freud or Melanie Klein and largely drawn from the Hampstead Child Therapy and the Tavistock clinics in London) decided to collaborate in the preparation of this book. In it they set out to describe their work in schools, hospitals, clinics, day centres, etc and to discuss their fundamental approach to the treatment of the disturbed child. It is their hope that by stripping away many of the misconceptions in the minds of parents, teachers and social workers about child psychotherapy then can give reassurance to many.

This study describes the experience of severely deprived children referred for individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the Tavistock Clinic in London, and at other clinics and schools. Most were living in children's homes, all came from chaotic and disrupted families, and many had been abused or neglected. Children from such backgrounds have previously been considered unsuitable for psychotherapy, and the theoretical and technical issues arising from their treatment are discussed here, and detailed case material is presented.There is a high rate of emotional and behavioral disturbance among children in community care. The experiences of the therapists struggling, often painfully, to establish contact and communication with these young people, who have been hurt and disillusioned by life, provide illuminating material on the children's perceptions of their lives. This book clearly demonstrates the need for and the capacity to respond to treatment, and it provides insights which are of relevance to all who are in close contact with such children.With contributions from Pamela Berse, Mary Boston, Ronald S. Britton, Helen Carr, Elizabeth da Rocha Barros, Maristella Fontana, Gianna Henry, Eva Holmes, Shirley Hoxter, Joan Hutten, Ann Kaplan, Gabriella Grauso Malliani, Lisa Miller, Sheila Miller, Michael Morice, Elizabeth Oliver-Bellasis, Alan Shuttleworth, Judy Shuttleworth, Rolene Szur, Brian Truckle and Gillian Woodman-Smith.

Originally published in 1983, this study describes the experience of severely deprived children referred for individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the Tavistock Clinic in London, and at other clinics and schools. Most were living in children’s homes, all came from chaotic and disrupted families, and many had been abused or neglected. Children from such backgrounds have previously been considered unsuitable for psychotherapy, and the theoretical and technical issues arising from their treatment are discussed here, and detailed case material is presented.There is a high rate of emotional and behavioural disturbance among children in community care. The experience of the therapists struggling, often painfully, to establish contact and communication with these young people, who have been hurt and disillusioned by life, provide illuminating material on the children’s perceptions of their lives. This book clearly demonstrates the need for and the capacity to respond to treatment, and it provides insights which are of relevance to all who are in close contact with such children.