This book presents and explores a number of case studies seminal in the author's learning of therapy with seriously ill young people and their families. It spans a lifelong process of learning the art and science of child, adolescent and family therapy.

It proposes that, through a lengthy career in child and family psychiatry, a therapist's patients contribute to, and influence, their body of knowledge and experience. In particular, there is a focus on suicidal young people and the therapeutic process that led to their successful recovery.