The psychotherapist as the crucial factor in fostering the relationships in the triangle supporting the child: second audit and evaluation of the child psychotherapy service at the Randolph Beresford early years centre

ABSTRACT Therapeutic programmes that offer early intervention may decrease the risk of developing emotional and behavioural difficulties in childhood and adulthood. This paper describes the Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Child Psychotherapy Service (CPS) that was established at Randolph Beresford Early Year Centre (RBEYC) in 2008. It presents the results of an audit and evaluation of the CPS. We used a Goal Based Outcome (GBO) measure to evaluate service-users’ (parents’ and caregivers’) perceptions of progress toward treatment goals, and structured interviews with eight caregivers and ten staff members to explore their views of the CPS. Thematic analysis was used to summarise these views. GBO ratings indicated that all caregivers felt they had made progress towards reaching treatment goals by the end of the intervention. Interview responses suggest that all caregivers and staff perceived the CPS positively and thought that the RBEYC was successful in nurturing the child’s overall development. The quality of relationships between staff, service-users and the CPS was perceived as central to the facilitative environment of the RBEYC. In particular, the psychotherapist was viewed as playing a critical role in facilitating this triangle of relationships supporting the child.