The 1999 Diploma in Forensic Psychotherapeutic Studies Alumni Day took place on 14th July at the Tavistock Clinic. There was plenty of time for talking to fellow students from previous years. It was encouraging to see many people from previous years of the course also attended, which clearly indicated a need to remain somewhat connected to others with similar interests.
Dr. Estela Welldon chaired the morning session. The first presentation by Michael Sones, Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist at the Child Development Centre, Poole, and Jackie Craissati, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Head of Forensic Clinical Psychology Services at the Bracton Clinic, on a clinical example presented by a fellow student (Different Theories and Similar Aims - Cognitive Therapy and Psychoanalytical Therapy) gave an interesting insight into the differences between the analytic and cognitive models. The audience clearly appeared more interested in finding out how a cognitive therapist would address the clinical material and therefore most of the questions from the floor were directed to Jackie Craissati. During the presentation I wondered about the need to tailor different interventions according to the setting and client group with which we are working.
Brian McKenzie, Clinical Psychologist at The Bracton Centre, gave a clinical presentation on violence which was very infomative and triggered several questions from the audience.
Lunch was between 1 and 2 pm and the Italian caterers presented a delicious meal which met with everyone's approval. The weather was unusually good which allowed people to eat in the gardens of the Portman Clinic
The afternoon session was chaired by Ronnie Doctor. David Morgan, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the Portman Clinic gave a talk entitled "Enduring Love, The Erotic Transference and Stalking". Although my recollection of the talk is now somewhat hazy, I remember the audience, myself included, seemed to be following attentively a rather complex presentation, full of Kleinian theory. David Morgan's style, giving several vignettes which supported the theoretical aspects of the talk, and the rather casual manner in which they were delivered made the presentation the key-note of the day!
By 3.30 in the afternoon some people had left and the audience had diminished. Malcolm Kay, Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Psychotherapy Department for Halton NHS Trust, Runcorn, Cheshire, gave a talk about "Endings in Therapy". He presented three clinical examples which highlighted the commitment that therapists working with forensic patients show. It was a very moving presentation which left everyone in the audience reflecting on their own experiences.
The day finished on with a moving tribute to Elvira Kirchhoff, an alumni who had unexpectedly died, given by two of her fellow students. This is reprinted below.