The partnership between the Early Intervention Institute, St Petersburg, and the Anna Freud Centre, London

Abstract

The authors describe study and teaching links between the Early Intervention Institute in St Petersburg and the Anna Freud Clinic in London. Some brief clinical examples from a variety of settings are given as well as a longer case presentation. The impact of widespread institutional care, alcoholism and terrible housing conditions on child mental health are illustrated. This raises questions about the role of child psychotherapy when social conditions are so harsh. The case material indicates that, despite this, children can be helped in some measure to feel more secure, by the therapist providing constancy and reliability within an often frightening and dangerous external world.

Key Words:

• Child therapy in Russia
• impact of institutional care on mental health in Russia
• social conditions and child mental health in Russia
• child therapy training in Russia