Revealing the Inner World of Traumatised Children and Young People

There is much to like about this book. Bradley brings passion and compassion to the subject, with herself strongly present. She helps to illuminate some of the most perplexing parts of the work, including why some children cannot benefit from positive experiences (until some level of integration has been achieved), and why they can feel so unreachable in our efforts to provide positive attachment experiences… This is an important book in keeping alive pioneering (and still highly relevant) work addressed to emotional deprivation and development. – Journal of Social Work PracticeThis very special book sums up the learning and deep insights from a lifetime’s experience in helping some of the most deeply troubled children and young people in the country, and supporting and teaching those looking after these children. It is packed with fascinating vignettes and case studies, and will be immensely useful for staff and students working with traumatised children and their families in a wide range of settings. – Adrian Ward, formerly of the Tavistock Clinic and author of ‘Leadership in Residential Child Care: A Relationship-based Approach’Christine Bradley draws on her lifetime of experience of working with troubled children to demonstrate the continuing value of psychoanalytic insight today. Her messages, particularly of the importance of good quality supervision and consultation, need to be read by all those who are responsible for children in public care. – John Drew, former Chief Executive of the Youth Justice BoardFor all of us, an integrated and coherent sense of self embedded in both history and experience is fundamental to who we are. For some young people, there is a serious challenge in being able to answer this question when abuse, neglect and trauma have invaded their lives. Throughout a lifetime of experience, in this book Christine Bradley sets out how these issues might be addressed to re-build a sense of self that is sustaining and meaningful and above all humane. Nothing could be more important in addressing the current issues for professionals in seeking inspiration and hope in the work that they do. – John Simmonds, OBE, Director of Policy, Research and Development, CoramBAAF

Christine Bradley is a psychotherapist with 40 years’ experience working with vulnerable children and young people, in therapeutic communities, local authorities and organisations both nationally and internationally. She is also a consultant and trainer for organisations in residential care and fostering and adoption agencies.

Francia Kinchington is a Principal Lecturer and Teaching Fellow at the University of Greenwich in the Faculty of Education and Health. She is a consultant with international expertise in leading and managing change and an experienced doctoral supervisor and examiner in the fields of education, psychology and health.