Psychoanalytic psychotherapy with people with learning disabilities.

This thesis focuses on the practice of providing psychoanalytic and
psychodynamic therapy to adults with learning disabilities.
Part J reviews the literature in the area, examining published case
studies and technical papers relating to the practice of providing
psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy to adults with
learning disabilities. A consistent therapeutic frame was identified,
but reports of therapists' practice were sparse, inconclusive and
varied
Part 2 reports a qualitative study exploring the practice of
psychoanalytic/psychodynamic psychotherapists, experienced in
providing therapy to adults with learning disabilities. Interview
transcripts were analysed using a Grounded Theory methodology. A
consistent account of practice was emergent, and a model implicating
(he role of philosophical notions of disability and their impact on
- practice was proposed The nature of-the proposed model was - -
considered with respect to its difference from other psychoanalytic
models used in the provision of therapy to non learning-disabled
adults and children.
Part 3 describes the salient stages of the research process and the key
learning points for the author. The author reflects on the process of
carrying out the research with respect to doing future research and
identifies areas for improvement to his present practice.