A pressing need for the integration of current practice, research and service development is addressed in this comprehensive book, which explores the experience of work with women in secure mental health settings.

The first section offers different perspectives on the needs and situations of this minority population. It includes consideration of the differing needs of women and men, and key environmental and therapeutic issues highlighted by recent research and service provision. Further chapters cover clinical illustrations of work with women in different settings, including descriptions of integrated multi-disciplinary practice, discussion of the experience of female patients and staff on a mixed sex ward, and exploration of therapeutic groupwork. The final section offers practice guidelines and frameworks for both individual staff and professional teams. At a time when the government's national agenda for mental health has focused on specialist secure provision for women, this book is essential reading for all those working in this challenging area.