Technique in Child and Adolescent Analysis

Michael Gunter is professor for child and adolescent psychiatry and medical director in the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents at the University of Tubingen. He is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and psychoanalyst for adults, children and adolescents and training analyst (DPV/IPA). In addition, he edits the journal 'Kinderanalyse'.

'Our era yearns for unidimensional explanations and quick fixes to mental disturbances. Cure is based on medication or pedagogical support solely, rather than helping the patient understand how his inner world affects his everyday life. In contrast, Gunter's volume shows that child and adolescent analysis is "alive and kicking". The technique advocated is "untechnical": showing how the analyst should use her flexibility in taking on board all sources of information available and her creativity in reaching the young patient. Examples and discussions on play, transference, and interpretations with different patient categories are provided by distinguished clinicians. We recommend the book to students and experienced clinicians alike.'- Bjorn Salomonsson and Majlis Winberg Salomonsson, Child psychoanalysts and researchers, The Swedish Psychoanalytical Association & the Karolinska Institutet, StockholmContributors: Elisabeth Brainin, Antonino Ferro, Michael Gunter, Kai von Klitzing, Helga Kremp-Ottenheym, Maria Rhode, Angelika Staehle

• Foreword -- Introduction -- Problems of technique in analysis of children and adolescents: transference—interpretation—play -- “Lillifee thinks she’s an arsehole.” Three levels of technique in child analysis: containment, transformation, interpretation -- Clinical and technical problems in child and adolescent analysis (following in Bion’s footsteps) -- What about the transference? Technical issues in the treatment of children who cannot symbolize -- Identity and bisexuality: thoughts on technique from the analysis of an adolescent girl -- Some thoughts on psychoanalytical technique in the treatment of adolescents: on the development of body image, body ego, and ego structures -- Rivals or partners? The role of parents in psychoanalytical work with children