Innocent bystanders?: observation in psychotherapy

Abstract

We describe the operation of a psychotherapy clinic where a one-way screen is used in the assessment of adults for a range of dynamic therapies. While observation of psychotherapeutic encounters remains contentious as an activity in its own right, we attempt to illustrate how such a way of working can be helpful to patients and staff. The potential drawbacks of this approach are discussed and ways of minimising these are explored.