Dr Liz Fletcher

Child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach based on a psychoanalytic understanding of the complex emotional lives of children, young people and families. In the context of a safe therapeutic relationship, psychotherapy seeks to gain a deep understanding of the individual. It develops a capacity for self-reflection which enables children and young people to change their behaviour, the way they relate to others and themselves, and achieve a sense of emotional well-being. Through psychoanalytic psychotherapy, children and young people gain a resilient sense of identity and a robust emotional capacity to deal with difficult situations, which is essential for good mental health in adulthood. Research has demonstrated the efficacy of psychoanalytic psychotherapy in resolving children and adolescent's difficulties long term rather than relieving symptoms temporarily.