Greater emphasis is currently being placed on user involvement in shaping the delivery of mental health services and the need for increasing the evidence base for psychotherapeutic interventions such as individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy (IPP). This qualitative study reports on the range of experiences of six young people aged between 16 and 21 years in undertaking IPP. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to develop an in-depth understanding of their experiences. The themes identified the young people's initial expectations and concerns about starting psychotherapy, experiences of learning the ropes of therapy and the process and meaning of ending therapy. The affective relationship with the therapist was of particular importance to the young people concerned. Positive experiences of IPP included being listened to and being accepted, and talking and thinking in depth. The power differentials with respect to being a patient were also evident. The paper concludes by suggesting that paying greater attention to young people's views of psychotherapy may improve their initial engagement and help to develop services in more appropriate ways. Qualitative methodologies provide a useful adjunct to conducting process and outcome research in this context.

The present study looks at patterns of drug use and alcohol use, social and economic circumstances, criminal involvement and health problems among a sample of 66 women opiate users with children. Data were collected using a structured interview. The women reported a wide range of substance use and other problems including depression. Many were heavy and regular drinkers. Most of the women were in a relationship with an opiate user: one‐third reported that their partner had been physically violent towards them. Almost all of these women were living in a state of poverty. Many of the mothers were in conflict regarding their dependence upon drugs and their fears about their children being taken into care. The women who were most severely dependent upon both heroin and alcohol felt that if they sought treatment this might help them to avoid having their children taken into care. At the same time they were afraid that, by approaching treatment, this might increase the risk of their children being taken from them. Services should seek to reduce the barrier to treatment presented by the anxieties of women with children as well as improving facilities for the care of women with children.

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