Tyson, Felicity (2022) The contribution of Child Psychotherapy to work with parents and infants in the baby clinic of a GP Practice. Professional Doctorate thesis, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust/University of East London. Full text available

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Abstract

Perinatal mental illness affects up to 20% of mothers and their babies (NHS England 2022). GPs and health visitors are often the first port of call for parents and infants in distress. For over 40 years, the GP practice in this study has been home to a child and parent-infant psychotherapy service, supporting parents and infants with emotional and mental health needs and providing consultation to the GPs and health visitors who provide vital support to these families. The aim of this research project was to explore the contribution that a child and parent-infant psychotherapy service in a GP practice makes to supporting parents and infants. This was a qualitative research study. The literature review examined literature on consultation and clinical work by psychotherapists in primary care and in parent-infant psychotherapy, policy and training for GPs and health visitors in the areas of perinatal and infant mental health. The research was conducted using semi-structured interviews and analysing the psychotherapy session notes from sessions with parents and babies. Three interviews and three session notes were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The main findings of this study are that parents and infants in distress can be supported by primary care clinicians when they are able to: provide continuity, encourage agency, develop, and use their observation skills, pay attention to unconscious and emotional communication, be interested and receptive and take a holistic view. This thesis offered recommendations for future research and future practice in child psychotherapy in primary care with GPs and health visitors.

Item Type:	Thesis (Professional Doctorate)
Additional Information:	Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust and the University of East London for the degree of Professional Doctorate in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Professional Doctorate in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, University of East London
Subjects:	Children, Young People and Developmental Pyschology > Child Psychotherapy Families > Childbirth Families > Mother Child Relations Families > Parent Child Relations/Parenthood Health and Medical Sciences > General Practice Research, Tests, Assessments > Psychotherapy Research Research, Tests, Assessments > Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Department/People:	Children, Young Adult and Family Services Research
URI:	https://repository.tavistockandportman.ac.uk/id/eprint/2934

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