Psychotherapists and counsellors are professionally obliged to have regular supervision, which has the specialist meaning of not only discussing casework but also, and significantly, exploring when necessary the personal impact on the therapist of clients’ material. Given the vast remit of the ill-starred independent inquiry into child sexual abuse, it would be astonishing if its distressing subject matter did not systemically infect the organisation and personally affect its staff (Goddard denies claims of racism as successor sets out new chapter, 15 October). I wonder if they have adequate professional and personal support; and if not, whether this may be remedied – both in their interest, and that of the victims.
Henry Fryer
Bishop’s Waltham, Hampshire
