Working with Risk 4: Risk to the Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist

Working therapeutically with children, adolescents and families can be deeply rewarding - but it can also expose clinicians to significant professional and personal risks. This timely and thought-provoking seminar, chaired by Jo Goldsmith, brings together two experienced clinicians to explore some of the less frequently discussed challenges facing Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists today.

Through two focused presentations followed by a live roundtable discussion, speakers will examine the realities of professional vulnerability in clinical practice - from the impact of an unfounded allegation, to the management of violence and aggression in the consulting room. The session will offer practical reflections, systemic insight, and space for shared thinking about how psychotherapists and supervisors can work safely and thoughtfully in increasingly complex environments.

Tim Smith will explore the dynamics and processes of unfounded professional allegations, including the systems and procedures involved when concerns are raised. He will also consider how CAPTs can think proactively about managing and mitigating these risks within assessment and clinical processes.

Ariel Nathanson will discuss the risk of violence and aggression towards CAPTs in the consulting room, with particular attention to the role of service supervisors in assessing suitability for intensive training cases and supporting practitioner safety.

The webinar is open to qualified members of the Association and will include an opportunity for audience questions and discussion.

Learning Outcomes

The aim of this engaging webinar is to help members:

• Recognise some of the key professional and clinical risks inherent in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy practice.
• Develop a greater understanding of the processes and emotional impact surrounding unfounded professional allegations.
• Consider practical ways of mitigating professional risk within assessment and treatment settings.
• Reflect on the management of violence and aggression in the consulting room and its implications for clinical work.
• Think more critically about supervisory and organisational responsibilities in assessing suitability for intensive cases and supporting practitioner safety.

 About the presenters

Tim Smith is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist working in community CYPMHS for CWP NHS Foundation Trust where he is also the Clinical Director for Cheshire East services. He maintains a small, hybrid private practice with adolescent and young adult patients online and in-person in London. He is currently co-editing two books; one with Debbie Hindle on psychoanalytic readings of films about childhood, and another with Jani Santamaría on the clinical applications of Bion’s theories to work with children, adolescents and young adults.

Ariel Nathanson is a Consultant Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychotherapist. He worked at the Portman Clinic for many years, specialising in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents and young adults who display sexually harmful, delinquent and violent behaviours. He has a private practice where he clinically works with adolescents and adults, supervises and teaches.

Jo Goldsmith is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist. She worked in CAMHS for many years providing direct work with parents and babies as well as highly risky adolescents. Jo is the Director of Professional Standards for the ACP, teaches on the IPCAPA UCL independent training and supervises trainees and qualified clinicians.