ABSTRACT
The Work Discussion Group is part of a two-year, psychodynamically orientated course for professionals working in forensic settings, such as prisons, special hospitals, medium secure units, and youth offending teams. This course was set up by Estela Welldon, originally, in 1990, as a one-year course at the Portman clinic, and then extended in 1993 to two years. Each member of the course is required to see a patient in their particular setting for two years under supervision. Their work is assessed throughout the course, both in terms of feedback from staff members and written papers that are assigned and marked each term. The "culture" of the group is conveyed from the outset by the way in which the presentation is listened to by the seminar leader. The work discussion group offers an opportunity to the members of the group to begin to reflect on problems or difficulties that have arisen in their work settings.
