Margaret Rustin: Child Psychotherapy Pioneer | Live Legacy Interview

About Margaret Rustin

Join us at an event featuring Margaret Rustin, a pioneering figure in child psychotherapy in the UK and beyond. This special live interview will offer a rare opportunity to hear how Margaret revolutionised the field, playing a major role in the development and extension of child psychotherapy provision both beyond its original home in London and in reaching a much more diverse population.

Her influential career at the Tavistock Clinic in London over five decades has been marked by a range of significant contributions that have reshaped the landscape of child mental health support in the UK and beyond.

As the former Head of Child Psychotherapy and later Dean of the Tavistock and Portman Foundation Trust in London, Margaret was instrumental in transforming child psychotherapy training, extending the reach of high-quality training programmes across the UK and thus cultivating a new generation of skilled practitioners equipped to meet the complex and changing needs of children and families.

Margaret’s special interest in infant observation has been particularly fundamental to her thinking. Building on the legacy of Esther Bick and Martha Harris, she has made significant contributions to the renowned Tavistock Model. ‘Closely Observed Infants’, which she contributed to and co-edited has become a must-read for anyone interested in the role of psychoanalytic observation and has deepened our understanding of early childhood development and the vital skills basic to therapeutic approaches for the youngest patients and their carers.

Perhaps one of Margaret’s most enduring commitments has been the extension of psychotherapy to underserved populations. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to making child mental health support accessible to children and families who might otherwise be unable to access such services. This pioneering work has also challenged and expanded the boundaries of where and how child psychotherapists work and opened the field to a broader range of trainees.

Margaret’s influence extends beyond the UK, with her innovative approaches and research findings impacting child mental health practices internationally. As a central figure in child psychotherapy for many decades, she has contributed significantly to our understanding of what psychoanalytic ideas have to offer the field of child and adolescent mental health.

Special Guests

Margaret will be joined by a panel of internationally renowned experts and distinguished colleagues:

Anne Alvarez, Consultant Child Psychotherapist, and former co-chair for the Autism Service at the Tavistock Clinic, London. She is a MINDinMIND Legacy Interviewee

Lisa Miller, Consultant Child Psychotherapist and former Head of Under Fives Service, Tavistock Clinic

Neil Altman, Child and Adult Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist and author from the United States

Simon Cregeen, experienced in work with Looked After Children and adoptive families, Head of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy in Manchester and Salford CAMHS

Rajni Sharma, Interim Director & Director of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Training, Northern School of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy

Event Highlights:

This Legacy Interviews provides a unique opportunity to hear directly from the visionaries who reshaped child psychotherapy, with lessons applicable worldwide. Whether you’re a mental health professional, student, or simply interested in the evolution of child mental health support, this event promises to be both illuminating and inspiring for attendees from any country, focusing on:

• Strategies for extending access to diverse populations
• The role of observation and early intervention in child development across diverse settings
• Innovative techniques developed to address varied mental health needs in children across different cultural contexts
• The integration of psychoanalytic insights into wider child mental health practices in various healthcare systems
• Collaborative approaches involving families in the therapeutic process
• Addressing cultural, social, and economic contexts in child psychotherapy
• The challenges of establishing child psychotherapy training programmes in underserved areas worldwide
• The future of child psychotherapy: building on the legacy of these pioneers to meet global mental health challenges

Learning Opportunities for Attendees:

• Gain insights into adapting psychotherapeutic approaches for diverse cultural contexts
• Learn strategies for extending mental health support to underserved communities Understand how to integrate psychoanalytic principles with local cultural practices and beliefs
• Discover approaches to overcoming systemic barriers in providing mental health services
• Learn from leaders in the field about their experiences establishing training programmes and services

More about our special guests:

Lisa Miller

Lisa Miller, alongside Margaret Rustin and other senior figures at the Tavistock Clinic, has helped to develop and refine psychoanalytic approaches to understanding and treating children’s emotional and psychological needs. Her clinical insights, particularly in work with parents and very small children and babies, have advanced the field: she was Chair of the Under Fives Service and the workshop which underpinned it in former years at the Tavistock as well as being the founding editor of the Infant Observation Journal. She has held other leadership roles, such as Chair of the Association of Child psychotherapists and Char of the Child and Family Department of the Tavistock; this has allowed her to take some part in steering the direction of the profession and setting standards.

She was a member of the training group of child psychotherapists at the Tavistock, she has taught, lectured and supervised very many trainee child psychotherapists. Since retiring from the Tavistock some years ago she has continued to be employed as a Visiting Lecturer and supervises the intensive training cases of a considerable number of students. Over the years she has lectured and given conference papers internationally, expanding the influence of the profession.

‘Closely Observed Infants’ (1989), edited with Margaret and Michael Rustin and Judy Shuttleworth, is a work which remains in print and is still much read today. It exemplifies Lisa’s conviction that infant observation, detailed and rich, lies at the heart of child psychotherapy and at the root of work in the infantile transference. Lisa has also contributed many chapters to books and papers to journals which are widely read.

Anne Alvarez

Anne is a pioneering figure in child psychotherapy, and worked alongside Margaret at the Tavistock Clinic for many years. She is renowned for her groundbreaking work with children experiencing complex emotional and psychological needs, including autism. Her career has significantly shaped the field’s approach to treating traumatised and neglected children.

As one of the first clinicians to treat children with autism, Anne’s work emphasises the importance of early relationships and play in the healing process. Her influential books, including “Live Company” and “The Thinking Heart,” have become essential texts in child psychotherapy.

Her work has influenced generations of clinicians worldwide and helped shape the practice of child and adolescent mental health professionals.

Neil Altman

Neil is an influential and daring figure in the field of psychoanalysis, bridging the gap between traditional psychoanalytic thought and contemporary sociocultural realities. His distinguished career has been marked by a commitment to expanding the reach and relevance of psychoanalytic practice, particularly in addressing issues of race, class, and culture.

Neil’s career stands as a testament to the power of integrating psychoanalytic insight with social awareness. He inspires clinicians and researchers to consider the broader societal implications of their practice, ensuring that psychoanalysis remains a vital and relevant force in addressing the complex mental health challenges of our time.

As a faculty member at both the William Alanson White Institute in New York City and the Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis in Brookline, MA, Neil has played a crucial role in shaping the next generation of psychoanalysts. His influence extends beyond the consulting room and classroom through his editorial work, serving as Editor Emeritus and Associate Editor of Psychoanalytic Dialogues, and contributing his expertise to several other prestigious journals in the field.

Neil’s scholarly contributions have been groundbreaking, particularly in exploring the intersection of psychoanalysis with pressing social issues. His award-winning book, “White Privilege: Psychoanalytic Perspectives” (2021), has been instrumental in bringing critical discussions of racial dynamics into the psychoanalytic sphere. His earlier works, including “Psychoanalysis in Times of Accelerating Cultural Change: Spiritual Globalization” (2015) and “The Analyst in the Inner City: Race, Class and Culture through a Psychoanalytic Lens” (2010), further demonstrate his commitment to expanding psychoanalytic thinking to address contemporary societal challenges. He is also co-Author of “Relational Child Psychotherapy” (2006).

With over 70 articles published in peer-reviewed journals, Neil has significantly advanced our understanding of child and adolescent psychotherapy, while emphasising the importance of considering race, social class, and culture in clinical work. His ability to synthesise complex psychoanalytic concepts with social realities has made his work accessible and relevant to a wide audience of practitioners and scholars.

Simon Cregeen

Simon is an experienced clinician in the field of child, adolescent, and couple psychotherapy, whose career has been marked by a commitment to addressing the complex needs of vulnerable populations. His psychoanalytic work and writing have contributed to clinical practice and training in the UK.

Simon is co-editor of “Finding a Way to the Child: Selected Clinical Papers 1983-2021 by Margaret Rustin” (2023) and will be sharing his understanding and appreciation of Margaret Rustin’s influential work.

As a Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist and Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist and formerly Professional Lead for Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy in Manchester and Salford NHS CAMHS, Simon has enhanced the depth of mental health support available to families and made a significant contribution to public mental health services.

Simon’s primary clinical focus has been working with Looked After/Care Experienced and adopted children, young people, and their families. His work in this area has helped to shape best practices in supporting some of society’s most vulnerable individuals, addressing the complex interplay of trauma, fractured relationships, and developmental challenges.

Simon’s influence extends beyond his clinical practice through his contributions to professional education and training. His role as a Clinical Tutor at the Northern School of Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy in Leeds, and his ongoing teaching and supervision at the British Psychotherapy Foundation in London, have helped to shape the skills and perspectives of new generations of therapists.

Simon’s co-authorship of “Short-term Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy with Adolescents with Depression: A Treatment Manual” (2016) has provided valuable guidance for practitioners working with a particularly challenging clinical population. His co-editorship of “Finding a Way to the Child: Selected Clinical Papers 1983-2021 by Margaret Rustin” (2023) further demonstrates his commitment to preserving and disseminating important psychoanalytic insights.

Simon’s most recent publication is a chapter in “Couples as Parents” (2024). His role as a Trustee of Manchester Psychoanalytic Development Trust (mpdt.org.uk) further underlines his contribution to advancing psychoanalytic understanding and practice in the community.

Rajni Sharma

Rajni is the Director of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Training at the Northern School of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, (NSCAP) and is a key figure shaping the future of child mental health care.

Rajni’s career is influenced by her experiences in NHS child and adolescent mental health services across the North of England. In her current role, Rajni emphasises the unique contribution of child and adolescent psychotherapy within NHS services, advocating for specialist evidence based psychotherapeutic approaches to effectively work with children, adolescents and their families complex mental health difficulties. Her work is grounded in psychoanalytic and developmental perspectives adapted to meet the needs of diverse communities.

Rajni is a strong proponent of diversity and inclusivity in the profession. She envisions a future where child and adolescent psychotherapy is more representative of the populations it serves, actively working to make the field more accessible and attractive to trainees from diverse backgrounds. This commitment to inclusivity extends to her approach to patient care, recognizing the importance of cultural competence in effective therapy.

The interview will be hosted by Jane O’Rourke.

Jane is a Child, Adolescent and Family Psychotherapist and Founder of MINDinMIND. She was formerly a senior producer at the BBC and recently won the Association of Infant Mental Health’s Founders Prize. She runs the counselling service in a state primary school in London, United Kingdom.

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