Based on the author's work with children, young people and families over two decades, this book shares reflections from the therapy room and illustrates how the therapist can try to make sense of mood, behaviour and presentations in young patients that previously made no sense. 'This powerful, concentrated book captures the essence of psychodynamic practice with children, young people and their families today. These kids bring unimaginable lives of indifference, betrayal, neglect and abuse, or sometimes just incomprehension, from those charged with their care. Jeanine Connor decries lazy labelling and eschews the fairy-tale ending; rather, she leaves threads so the reader - whether student, experienced practitioner or, indeed, parent - can explore, quarrel with and unravel her insightful interpretations and interventions. Alongside are helpful references to beacon texts from the literature. These stories celebrate the role of the therapist - listening, absorbing, containing, understanding and ultimately, we hope, freeing.' Catherine Jackson, Editor, BACP Therapy Today 'For any aspiring therapist working with children and young people, this book demonstrates how to be both firm and kind, how to combine clear theoretical thinking with human compassion and a flexibility of approach. This is an accessible, unpretentious book, distilling many years of wise practice with young clients. I recommend it to all therapists learning how best to work with the turbulence of adolescence.' Nick Luxmoore, Psychotherapist, Supervisor, Trainer and Author