T his joint talk brings together two qualitative res earch projects exploring psychoanalytic work withi n forensic child and adolescent mental health. Dra wing on interpretative qualitative methodologies\, the presentations explore how aspects of harm ent er therapeutic and consultative spaces and how pro fessionals attempt to make sense of and attempt to contain young people who act out in this way\, bo th in direct clinical work and in work with the pr ofessional networks around them.
\n \nOne s trand focuses on child psychotherapists&rsquo\; ex periences of psychotherapeutic work with young peo ple in contexts of sexual harm\, including situati ons where young people have both caused harm and b een harmed themselves. It examines how such work s hapes technique and the clinician&rsquo\;s capacit y to remain engaged and able to think in the face of highly challenging and distressing material.
\n \nThe other strand explores the use of a p sychoanalytically informed forensic consultation m odel with professionals working with high-risk you th populations. The findings of the study highligh t how risk is held within professional networks wo rking with young people who are violent and/or dis play harmful sexual behaviour\, and how psychoanal ytic thinking can help make sense of what is commu nicated through these particular forms of acting o ut.
\n \nTogether\, the papers consider how harm is worked with in therapeutic work and profe ssional systems\, and the psychoanalytic thinking that is needed to hold such young people in mind w ithout foreclosure or reactivity. The talk reflect s on the implications for forensic practice\, prof essional support\, and sustaining thinking when wo rking with forms of violent acting out.
\n \n < p> \;\n \nThe presentation will be fac ilitated by Dr Alexandra Busse and Dr Tom Robinson \, \;and chaired by Dr Elena Della Rosa\, Depu ty Director of Scientific Research.
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\n \nDr Alexandra Busse:
\n \nDr Alexandra Busse is a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist\, having trained at th e Tavistock and Portman. She currently works as a forensic mental health practitioner in an FCAMHS s ervice alongside private work and teaching. She pr eviously worked as a research assistant at the Por tman Clinic and is interested in the area of foren sic mental health research.
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\n \nDr Tom Robinson:
\n \nDr Tom Robinson is a Child and Adolescent Ps ychotherapist who trained at the Tavistock and Por tman. He currently works at the Portman clinic and in private practice. Dr Robinson has previous exp erience working in sexual health\, where\, amongst his different roles\, he supported survivors of s exual abuse.
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\n \nDr El ena Della Rosa - Elena trained at the Tavistock Ce ntre\, has worked in the NHS and has been teaching at the Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies at the U niversity of Essex. She is currently working in pr ivate practice. She has an interest in research an d is a research supervisor on the clinical trainin g at the Tavistock. She is Deputy Director of the Scientific Committee at the ACP.
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\n \nABOUT RESEARCH MATTERS FORU M: \;
\n \nThe aim of this bi- monthly forum is to bring together child psychothe rapists who want to learn more about research\, to enhance their knowledge\, skills and to find othe r colleagues who may be interested in similar topi cs for potential collaboration.
\n \nThe re search carried out by members has been spurred by their clinical practice and interest in clinical i ssues. This discussion forum will enable dialogue on how to tackle clinical dilemmas and ethical pra ctice in research.
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