Here we are, coming into the winter of 2008, but who in Ireland could tell when each season ends? It seems Ireland is suffering from a severe case of enmeshment not to mention the extreme weathers in other parts of the world. Thankfully we can bring a bit of light to our lives in the form of Fiona Ferret and her friends. In this instalment she takes the advice of her friend whose fiancé is a counsellor (not sure if that is related but it must be as she tells us every time) in search of an antidote to her “deep depression”, ah no, you must read it.

We come straight into our sense of being at our most earliest time i.e. the first trimester in the womb. Shirley Ward gives us a feeling of being on the cutting edge of new discoveries while being well supported by her personal and others’ experiences, and the many theories and evidence based work of the late Dr. Frank Lake. Paddy Logan has answered the call in the last editorial with a most thought provoking letter on continued professional development. He asks the Governing Body to address the “dismay and confusion among members”. In conversation with Robin Shohet we may have found a way of doing this by “slowing down…entering a reverie and allowing ourselves to free associate…not linear”. The best discoveries were made when Carl Jung went into reverie called by him, “creative illness”. In that place Jung was able to forge new thinkings not governed by the “laws” of that time. The same is true of Benig Mauger when she tells us about her “Inner Marriage” as, out of her heart pain, she has developed a deep understanding of Love, Heartbreak and the Search for Wholeness. Maggie O’Neill’s intensely honest experience of her Soul suffering following a miscarriage makes for compassionate reading. Shirley Cummins’ article on Abuse of Older People, which should concern all of us, makes very sober reading. She describes the vulnerability and helplessness felt by the residents in institutions and sometimes at home and their reliance on others to be their voice. It is clear in our community that there are many voices and associations in place for the young and vulnerable but perhaps not so many with the elderly in mind.

Martin Collins gives us his expert legal understanding on Negligence and the Psychotherapist in which he not only covers the relationship of the client/psychotherapist but also the trainee/supervisor. The trainee can feel unsure of their position with their supervisor. Collins recognises the perceived restrictions of the student in training. Some feel that to complain may see them not graduate from their course and as the trainers hold the power to graduate or not perhaps the trainee must find a way to manage this dilemma.

As this issue goes to press we are struck by the sight of men and women closing down their business lives in the fast lane of high finance and insurance. Both of these industries cater for the future wealth and keeping ourselves safe against future disasters so there must be concern when these young people have to stand still and deal with the present.

Brace yourselves psychotherapists. The need for this work has never been clearer or nearer.