ABSTRACT
The influence of Winnicott on many of the contributors to this book is very evident,
possibly particularly in this chapter which draws heavily on his interest and willingness
to do ‘something else’ with patients who, for a variety of reasons, cannot be offered more
traditional forms of psychoanalytic treatment. His professional development from
paediatrician to child and adult psychiatrist to psychoanalyst provided him with rich
opportunities to observe and work with people, in many differing environments, in
sickness and in health, throughout the life cycle. Winnicott’s writings contain numerous
rich accounts of his varied therapeutic encounters with children. In addition, his adult
psychoanalytic practice provided the opportunity to reflect on and hypothesise about the
kinds of childhood experiences and inner worlds that his patients had had.
