Psychotherapy, learning disabilities and trauma: new perspectives.
BACKGROUND
Psychological therapies are rarely used in people with learning disabilities. Learning disability is often given as an exclusion criterion. There is insufficient published research to conduct a systematic review. Few outcome studies of psychoanalytic or cognitive psychotherapy have been reported.


OBJECTIVE
To describe recent advances in understanding and practice within the learning disability field which have not received wider recognition within mainstream psychotherapy and psychiatry.


METHODS
The availability of different psychotherapeutic approaches is discussed. We explore developmental issues including the contribution of attachment theory to our understanding, and the effects of trauma on the lives of people with learning disabilities.


RESULTS
Theoretical and clinical perspectives suggest that many therapeutic opportunities exist.


CONCLUSIONS
Practitioners are encouraged to extend their therapeutic repertoire, and to report measurable outcomes.
Hollins
S
S
Department of Psychiatry of Disability, St George's Hospital Medical School, London. s.hollins@sghms.ac.uk
Sinason
V
V
D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000628:therapy*; D008603:Mental Health; D010819:Physician's Role; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D019529:Sexuality; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology*