ABSTRACT
This book is an exploration of psychotherapy provision for people with intellectual disabilities,1 with the consulting rooms at Respond as the fixed points on the journey.
Respond is a voluntary sector organization, based in Central London, managed by a Board of Trustees and part-funded by the UK Department of Health. It was established in 1991 and now provides a range of psychotherapeutic services to children and adults who have intellectual disabilities, most of whom have experienced abuse and trauma, often of a sexual nature, and some of whom have gone on to abuse others. The organization has interfaces with many other professional worlds including both mainstream and intellectual disability services, primary healthcare, schools, forensic services, and child protection teams. It also has a track record of campaigning for changes in law and policy to minimize the vulnerability of people with intellectual disabilities to sexual abuse. Since its inception it has grown from a staff of two to employ 20 people in both clinical and non-clinical capacities. Respond therapists treat up to 60 patients per week, and take an average of 200 calls per month on the telephone helpline.
