Despite, and perhaps because of, the comparatively small numbers of child psychotherapists in the UK the profession is assiduous in presenting the nature and scope of the work which they undertake. This book provides an overview of the background to the establishment of the profession, its development and the diversity of work for which child psychotherapists are trained. There are chapters describing the potential roles through which they may contribute in different settings using formal psychoanalytic psychotherapy, consultative therapeutic work with children and families and consultation with professionals: detailed clinical descriptions bring the work vividly to life. Hodges provides an important summary of research. It was also with some relief that I found a section grappling with the issue of assessment: this could perhaps have been expanded since in practice there is all too often a leap from concern for a child to an assumption that ‘therapy’ is needed. Fuller appreciation of the process of assessment can only enhance the proper use of psychotherapeutic resources.?

The foreword and introduction give acknowledgement to Boston & Daws' (Reference Boston and Daws1977) forerunner of this book and it is this which crystallises the only disappointment I have in this volume. The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines a ‘handbook’ as “(usually short) treatise, manual, guide-book”. However, Lanyado & Horne's book is not one I could direct someone towards in the process of a particular treatment in order to gain specific guidance in a structured way: nor does it provide a systematic introductory text for training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy with children. At times there seems to have been the insertion of an obligatory reference to ‘the child psychotherapist’ when what is at issue is ‘psychoanalytic psychotherapy with children’: this felt intrusive and I fear could distract into an unhelpful debate about the roles of different professions. I do not feel I can represent this as a handbook but it is an extremely important and valuable development from its forerunner whose title accurately describes it, The Child Psychotherapist and the Problems of Young People.

The style of writing is generally very clear and should prove accessible to those without a foundation in psychoanalytic theory. It will be helpful to practitioners without specific training in psychotherapy across the mental health and child welfare fields: many of the sections will also be useful to more experienced practitioners. It should be available in all child mental health service departments.