ABSTRACT
I work within public health services for children, older people and adults affected by intellectual disabilities where I meet with people in individual therapy, family therapy and in large networks with other practitioners. I also participate in meetings with managers to address organisational strategy and service planning. We carry feelings into all these sorts of encounters and our feelings can inÀuence our presence and connection with the people with whom we engage. For example, Chris (below) recognises that ‘irritation’ interrupted his listening and thinking, interfering in his relationship with his client (Ms Jennings) and, later in the chapter, Rina describes how a feeling of ‘dread’ stopped her from engaging with the mother of a client.
