Child Psychotherapy and Research

Child Psychotherapy and Research brings together some of the most exciting and innovative research activity taking place within psychoanalytic child psychotherapy today. Drawing on the expertise of an international range of contributors, this book describes work at the cutting edge of research in psychoanalytic child psychotherapy and related areas. It presents many of the emerging findings while also illustrating a whole range of methodologies – both quantitative and qualitative – that have been developed to investigate this field. The book examines the historical and philosophical background of child psychotherapy research and shows how research illuminates different clinical phenomena, the processes of psychotherapy, its evaluation and outcome. Recent developments in therapeutic work with children, including the increased focus on evidence-based practice, make research a much higher priority in the field than ever before. With this increasing significance, a whole new generation of clinicians are required to become familiar and competent with research methods and research literature. Child Psychotherapy and Research will be a vital resource for anyone involved in research and training related to psychotherapy and child mental health, as well as of great interest to a range of mental health professionals.

"A unique, outstanding and inspiring collection of research papers in child psychotherapy." – Dr Sebastian Kraemer, Honorary Consultant, Tavistock Clinic, UK "For some time we have been aware of a need to find ways of studying the process of psychoanalytic child psychotherapy and monitoring results. This most welcome publication presents a variety of sophisticated, comprehensive and well-rounded research studies illustrating different ways of investigating this complex field. A really enlightening book!" – Anne-Marie Sandler, Psychoanalyst, British Institute of Psychoanalysis, UK"...this book is not only important in its content but also in its attitude to exploration and discovery. As such, it should not only be read by those who are interested in research but by all of us, even those who try to avoid it." – Ariel Nathanson, Infant Observation, Vol. 12, No. 2, August 2009"I highly recommend this book to clinicians who are trained in or interested in psychodynamic practice and to social science researchers interested in child psychotherapy research. This book is a diverse collection of child psychotherapy research examining clinical and methodological issues from varied perspectives. Clinicians reading this book will be reminded that competent practice involves familiarity with the existing literature, a willingness to engage in the research process, and a responsibility to contribute practice based assessment and outcome to a broader audience." - Joseph L. Smith, Clinical Socical Work, 2011"This book is well timed because now, more than ever, the need for 'services' must be evidenced. This book provides that evidence base and is, in my view, at the cutting edge of research and clinical practice... The book is convincingly written and has an interesting mix of the scientific, pragmatic and factual research as well as the empathic, humane sensitive element, which brings the text to 'life.'" - Ella Crisp, Addiction Today, November-December 2010, "A unique, outstanding and inspiring collection of research papers in child psychotherapy." – Dr Sebastian Kraemer, Honorary Consultant, Tavistock Clinic, UK "For some time we have been aware of a need to find ways of studying the process of psychoanalytic child psychotherapy and monitoring results. This most welcome publication presents a variety of sophisticated, comprehensive and well-rounded research studies illustrating different ways of investigating this complex field. A really enlightening book!" – Anne-Marie Sandler, Psychoanalyst, British Institute of Psychoanalysis, UK"...this book is not only important in its content but also in its attitude to exploration and discovery. As such, it should not only be read by those who are interested in research but by all of us, even those who try to avoid it." – Ariel Nathanson, Infant Observation, Vol. 12, No. 2, August 2009"I highly recommend this book to clinicians who are trained in or interested in psychodynamic practice and to social science researchers interested in child psychotherapy research. This book is a diverse collection of child psychotherapy research examining clinical and methodological issues from varied perspectives. Clinicians reading this book will be reminded that competent practice involves familiarity with the existing literature, a willingness to engage in the research process, and a responsibility to contribute practice based assessment and outcome to a broader audience." - Joseph L. Smith, Clinical Socical Work, 2011

Nick Midgley is a Child Psychotherapist and a Clinical Tutor at the Anna Freud Centre, London. Jan Anderson has a lead role for research in Child Psychotherapy for the North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Eve Grainger is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist for the North-East London NHS Foundation Trust. Tanja Nesic-Vuckovic is a Consultant Child Psychotherapist and Head of Service in South Essex Partnership NHS Trust and clinical director of the Pebbles Therapeutic Community. Cathy Urwin is a Consultant Child Psychotherapist and Research fellow at the Tavistock Clinic.