How do Psychoanalytic Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists think about State of Mind Assessments and what are their experiences of carrying them out?

Objectives: Aims of this research study were: 1. To understand how Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists (CAPPTs) think about the psychoanalytic SoM Assessment. 2. To explore CAPPTs experiences of offering SoM Assessments in CAMHS. 3. To understand if there are identifiable aspects of case presentations that make them particularly suited to a SoM Assessment. 4. To add to the literature available on the SoM Assessment. Method: Nine CAPPTs were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Interviews were transcribed then analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Findings: CAPPTs develop personal conceptualisations of the SoM Assessment. Learning what a SoM Assessment is occurs through relational strands of learning. Participants agreed the most valuable element of their learning are their experiences of doing the assessment. Participants shared clinical examples which demonstrated creative differences in approach to offering SoM Assessments. SoM Assessments are underpinned by identifiable ‘Core Components’. The SoM Assessment is considered an important means by which the CAPPT shares the psychoanalytic voice of Child Psychotherapy within the MDT. The CAPPTs use of language is scrutinised considering how accessible this voice is, and the extent to which the SoM Assessment can be held in mind by MDT’s. Conclusion: The SoM Assessment develops through five strands of learning. Variation and flexibility are inherent to the SoM Assessment and considered strengths. CAPPT’s demonstrate how they make use of their own internal world through the Core Components of the SoM Assessment. The SoM Assessment is an attentive response created anew each time with the unique patient at its centre. Participants agreed further use could be made of this assessment. The importance of the SoM Assessment in bringing the psychoanalytic voice to MDT’s is confirmed. Key words: child psychotherapy, State of Mind Assessment, formulation, internal world, psychoanalytic assessment, consultation, supervision, psychoanalytic voice, Multidisciplinary team