An Introduction to Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

This book presents and illustrates the theory and technique of working with young people, their parents, and their families. Wide-ranging in focus from individuals to communities, it gives a comprehensive review of the symptoms and causes of disorder in young people and a sensitive approach to deepening the treatment of children and adolescents.

With contributions from Aidalida Altamirano, Carl Bagnini, Ana Maria Barroso, Anabella Brostella, Vali Maduro, Elizabeth Palacios, David Scharff, Jill Savege Scharff, Kate Scharff, Caroline Sehon, Lea Setton, Yolanda Varela, and Janine Wanlass.

An Introduction to Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy is for adult and child therapists who want to learn about treating children and adolescents from a psychoanalytic perspective. It is a comprehensive introduction to provide adult psychoanalytic therapists with enough information and support to take up the challenge of beginning child and adolescent psychotherapy and to give CBT and sand play therapists access to a psychoanalytic perspective on work with young people. It grew from lectures and discussions with therapists over the course of a two-year training program, covering theory and technique of assessment and therapy, play, ethics, and work with parents. The contributors show how to deal with the common symptom presentations, how to establish a relationship, deal with resistance, engage in play, and interpret unconscious conflict. Included are clinical case conferences and consultations, and North and Central American, European, and Chinese clinical examples provide global relevance. This edited book is a group effort that presents a compendium of basic principles of practice and has a grounding in ethics and research, child and adolescent development, psychoanalytic theory of childhood, wellness and psychopathology of childhood, treatment technique, and consulting in the community to schools, agencies, and family court.

This is a must-read book for all professionals engaged in working with children and adolescents, and for psychotherapists who would like to learn more about working with young people from a psychoanalytic perspective.