Awful, patronising Guardian article by the unqualified at anything much Barbieri

[appropriatelytrained]

As a regular Guardian reader, I was really unimpressed to come across this article in their 'Family' section yesterday.

This woman used to write the 'personal shopper' column in the Family section so God knows why she is now imparting her wisdom' on such sensitive subjects.

She appears to have decided that the right person to approach is not a nationally renowned expert psychologist or psychiatrist or paediatrician or neuro-developmental expert but a woman called Alexandra Maeja Raicar who has published a book on attachment disorders and who seems to be a counsellor of some sort judging by this site

I am frankly surprised that any professional would comment in such a way on such sensitive matters without ever seeing the child or her parent and I am shocked at the bald assertion that this is basically the parents' fault without other issues being considered.

I may write as Ms Angry from mumsnet

Have now looked at the website.
Seems a bit odd that she is quoting this one "expert".
I wonder if the original letter was genuine at all, or merely a device to publicise the therapist in question.

I think you're right jandymac.

My thoughts exactly seeing that even the website is brand new....................

She once answered a letter written by a mother who was anxious that her husband was taking their three year old daughter off for baths every night, locking the door and the child telling everyone it was 'special secret time with daddy.' She basically told the mother she was overreacting and that how dare she question the right of a father to spend time with his daughter.

I mean ffs, even if it does turn out to be untrue, you can't dismiss concerns of child abuse so roundly and completely without having a little more awareness of the situation. It's so dangerous.

Yes, how interesting that the website should be launched at the same time as the article!! I wonder how the author came across this 'expert'?

wonder if we could put forward a question and just ask her lol I was reading the how to join UKCP and about it. To me it all sounds so much away with the fairies.

This could possibly be sceptical me (and it most probably is) as I am so black and white on things. Also a believer in sorting out your own problems as talking never solved anything (my experience only) and nor does it take things away, they are still there to be dealt with. It even says psychotherapists can be social workers/doctors neither of these are medicaly qualified to detect wether a child has autism or attachment issues or whatever..........there is also a lot of talking about past, hidden bad experiences, the present and future. This is a child who has had a very short past. But now I am getting too indepth.

I personally think this is a most odd advertising scam.