
Psychoanalysis for children and adolescents is based on the same principles that lie behind adult psychoanalysis. It is an intensive psychotherapeutic treatment consisting of 4-5 weekly sessions with the child and regular meetings with parents or caretakers. It is intended for a specific group of children whose difficulties can be best ameliorated by a developmentally guided exploration of the way their minds work , their patterns of maladaptive behavior, and their anxieties and inhibitions.
The goal for the child is to restore him or her to normal developmental progression and to an optimal level of functioning. The goal for parents is to facilitate their understanding of and communication with their child, which will serve them now and in the future.
a service of the Parent-Infant Program for parents, infants, and young children, birth to four years
The Parent-Infant Program offers a service for parents seeking individualized consultation regarding their baby or child’s development. Parent-infant consultation provides the opportunity for parents to discuss their questions and concerns with child experts in a context that takes into account the unique personality of each baby/child and family circumstance. Parents, babies, and young children are referred to a Parent- Infant Program clinician in their private office convenient to their home. The first three evaluations are free of charge. Then fees are arranged individually. For more information, write or call Christine Anzieu-Premmereur, PhD, 212-828-8422.
Columbia Psychoanalytic offers training programs in child/adolescent psychoanalysis and parent-infant psychotherapy. Trainees in these highly selective programs are licensed and experienced psychiatrists and psychologists who are coming for specialized training in these treatment modalities. While in the program, their work is supervised by senior faculty. To find out more about whether child psychoanalysis is appropriate for you child, click here. To learn about parent-infant treatment, click here.