Forensic Group Psychotherapy: The Portman Clinic Approach (The New International Library of Group Analysis)

"I was fortunate to meet both Estela Welldon and John Woods early in my forensic training and the Portman “principles” of group therapy I learnt from them proved to be invaluable to me as a group therapist working with offenders, both in terms of technical rigour and a compassionate framework to support meaningful change. Now those principles have been described and discussed in detail in this rich and thoughtful book. Chapters by different authors describe different types of group; what is especially strong is the clinical detail and description of real group processes and difficulties. What I took away from all the chapters is the dedication of the therapists, their knowledge and experience, and the priceless value of having a service that takes seriously the minds of people with serious psychopathology who are often shunned by others. Group therapists who work with offenders (especially those who usually use cognitive techniques) will find this a valuable addition to their libraries." (Dr Gwen Adshead, MBBS, MA, FRCPsych, consultant forensic medical psychotherapist)

"In an era when forensic psychotherapy is questioned by many, the Portman Clinic has courageously taken on the challenge of treating those who are largely marginalised by contemporary society. In this superb new volume, John Woods and Andrew Williams have collected a group of contributions that describe in detail the remarkable work that is conducted at the Portman Clinic. Readers will emerge from this book convinced of the unique value of group psychotherapy with this population. They may also find themselves filled with hope for a population that many regard as hopeless." (Glen O. Gabbard, MD, author of Love and Hate in the Analytic Setting)

"This is an extraordinarily timely and insightful book that will appeal to all therapists and criminologists in the sex offender field and beyond. Using a modified psychodynamic group therapy approach, the book is a tribute to the courage of all the therapists at the Portman and serves as a legacy for Estella Weldon. Bravo!" (Leslie M. Lothstein, PhD, ABPP, Clinical Forensic Psychologist)

Andrew Williams