The Fitzjohn's Unit is a specialist out-patient psychotherapy service. Based at the Tavistock Clinic it is for people suffering from more severe psychological disorders who currently often do not get psychotherapy, although there is evidence that they can be helped by an approach based on the principles of psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
The service offers assessments and treatments based upon modern understanding of how problems arising in emotional development and in early inter-personal relationships are key factors in many mental disorders. With understanding these problems using the principles of psychoanalytic psychotherapy, in a way that is matched to each patient, and to the context of each referring service, we try to build up with the patient a consistent, coherent and reliable clinical management framework within which, and from which, emotional learning can occur.
Many will have had a history of severe developmental trauma including physical and mental ill-treatment, childhood sexual abuse, disorganised parenting, broken homes or repeated institutional care. Others will have had less obviously adverse personal histories. Some may be expressing their difficulties in maladaptive ways - severe symptoms, self destructive or suicidal acts, disrupted, disorganised and unfulfilled lives.
The Fitzjohn's Unit is designed for patients who, whatever their diagnosis or background or upbringing, need the nature of their lives, relationships and experience - including their maladaptive aspects - to be recognised, understood and taken account of by others, and by themselves, for their mental health treatment to work.
The Fitzjohn's Unit is an audited service This means that all patients are asked to complete a range of confidential questionnaires to allow a proper evaluation of the effects of treatment. Regular reviews of each patient's assessment and therapy are an integral part of the Programme.
The Unit which was set up by. Dr. David Taylor is now headed by Dr. David Bell, with the assistance of a team of senior staff including Dr. Antony Garelick, Mr Marcus Evans. Other staff include Ms Francesca Hume, Dr Birget Kleeberg, Ms Gay Fischer. Dr Taylor continues to play a consultancy role in the Unit. Each of these clinicians has experience of the treatment and assessment of patients with these sorts of conditions in a wide variety of health service settings including primary care, community mental health teams as well as specialist and general NHS in-patient units. The individual and group therapy is provided by experienced clinicians.
It is necessary to be referred by a GP, Consultant Psychiatrist or other senior professionals who may refer directly to any of the Unit's Senior Clinicians. It is usually necessary for us to receive special agreement from the relevant Health Authority for assessment and treatment by the Fitzjohn's Unit.
To make a referral or enquiry please contact:
The Fitzjohn's Unit
Adult Department
The Tavistock Clinic
120 Belsize Lane
London NW3 5BA
Tel: 0207 435 7111
Fax: 0207 447 3745
