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The British Journal of Psychiatry (2000) 176: 32-36
© 2000 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Psychotherapy, learning disabilities and trauma: new perspectives{dagger}

SHEILA HOLLINS, FRCPsych and VALERIE SINASON, BPAS

Department of Psychiatry of Disability, St George's Hospital Medical School, London

Correspondence: Professor Sheila Hollins, St George's Hospital Medical School, Department of Psychiatry of Disability, Jenner Wing, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 ORE. Tel: 020 8725 5501; Fax: 020 86721070; e-mail: s.hollins{at}sghms.ac.uk

Declaration of interest None.

{dagger} See editorial pp. 10—11, this issue.

Background Psychological therapies are rarely used in people with learning disabilities. Learning disability is often given as an exclusion criterion. There is insufficient published research to conduct a systematic review. Few outcome studies of psychoanalytic or cognitive psychotherapy have been reported.

Aims To describe recent advances in understanding and practice within the learning disability field which have not received wider recognition within mainstream psychotherapy and psychiatry.

Method The availability of different psychotherapeutic approaches is discussed. We explore developmental issues including the contribution of attachment theory to our understanding, and the effects of trauma on the lives of people with learning disabilities.

Results Theoretical and clinical perspectives suggest that many therapeutic opportunities exist.

Conclusions Practitioners are encouraged to extend their therapeutic repertoire, and to report measurable outcomes.




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