Dr. Carl Rothschild leaves Alan Cashmore Center after 40 years
Prior to 1975, early childhood mental health services for the lower mainland region were offered through a therapeutic preschool, from the current Maples Burnaby site. When mental health services were reorganized in about 1975, Greater Vancouver Mental Health Services was born and Vancouver received funding to establish its own early childhood therapeutic day program. The program developed was Blenheim House (later renamed Alan Cashmore Centre after its founder).
Dr. Carl Rothschild was a mere 31 years old when he joined Dr. Alan Cashmore to develop Blenheim House Day Program services. Dr Rothschild quickly saw the need for more outpatient services vs day program alone and was instrumental in advocating for expanded services to meet the needs of more children and families – thus creating the outpatient component of services which ensured many more families were able to be served. Dr. Rothschild advocated for a multidisciplinary team approach which could meet the broadest range of children and family needs. From the start, Dr. Rothschild was a strong believer in working collaboratively. He valued the perspectives of all early childhood professionals – the educator, the speech pathologist, and the mental health clinician.
Dr. Carl Rothschild is a pioneer in
child and adolescent psychiatry and
has trained most child psychiatrists
in BC.
Dr. Rothschild’s heart has always been in community mental health. He has been a very strong advocate for children and families who may fall between the cracks of our systems. Dr. Rothschild has been, and continues to be passionate about the needs of the impoverished and the disenfranchised. His advocacy has made a significant difference for the children and families he touched.
As the lead psychiatrist at the Alan Cashmore Center since the early 80s, Dr. Rothschild has mentored countless psychiatry residents and clinical staff interested in learning about infant mental health.
His wealth of experience and knowledge combined with his interest in mentoring has supported many others in their professional development. Carl was and continues to value the therapeutic relationship (as the parent/child relationship) as the cornerstone for growth and change. He has practiced this by remaining available over time to families to ensure children are supported and successful over the early years.
In addition to the professional realm, it is important to note that Carl has an abundance of creativity that seems to know no bounds – as those of you who have witnessed his drawing and painting while in meetings, will attest to. Carl is an artist, a poet, a musician and the Alan Cashmore Center is blessed with oils, acrylics, charcoal and pencil illustrations of every manner of subject Carl has done over the years. There was a time when Carl made the most elaborate dollhouses, castles and puppet stages you could ever imagine. They were made out of cardboard, each room or aspect individually designed and appointed. They were indestructible – even under earthquake conditions. They were individual works of art really. The children LOVED these homemade therapy materials. Carl was known for constructing something special for children to take with them when they ended therapy with him.
Dr. Carl Rothschild is really one of a kind. Anyone who knows Carl understands this. He has a multiplicity of talents and a wealth of knowledge about early childhood, parenting, the arts, and life. Dr. Rothschild is a pioneer in child and adolescence psychiatry and has trained most of BC’s child psychiatrists, he is a respected teacher and mentor. He is known as a very passionate, kind, and caring man and these qualities have characterized the relationships he has developed with children, with families, with colleagues and friends.
Dr Carl Rothschild will be recognized for his years of dedication at the Semi – Annual Meeting on Thursday, February 5, 8:30 am at the Eye Care Center.
**This announcement is a compilation of comments from various members of CYMH services**