The process of gaining consent, retrospectively, when the institution has closed down

ABSTRACT

The paper has a twofold aim. First, it describes the complex process of gaining consent retrospectively for the publication of clinical material after the institution, where therapy was taking place, had closed down. The clinical material was derived from the psychotherapeutic work with an autistic young boy and his family. Details of the complicated process of gaining consent to publish this material are provided. The second aim of this paper is to discuss the important role of ‘trust’ when asking or granting consent for publication of clinical material. It is argued that trust at different levels (and amongst various people) plays a pivotal role in gaining consent for publication.

KEYWORDS:

• Trust
• clinical paper
• consent for publication
• autistic spectrum
• family work

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1. Houzel emphasised the importance of forming an alliance with the parents of children on the autistic spectrum, and of working through their ‘paradoxical depression’ (that is, working through feelings of inadequacy and guilt that the parents experience and which are at large projected onto them by family members, by their social environment, or even by health care professionals).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lida Anagnostaki

Lida Anagnostaki is an Assistant Professor in Psychodynamic Perspectives in Developmental Psychology, Department of Early Childhood Education, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a full member of the Hellenic Association of Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. Her research interests include psychoanalysis and education, trauma, and parent- child separation.