Looking in the right way: the use of infant observation as a clinical tool in parent−infant psychotherapy with parents with severe mental health difficulties. Issue 2 (3rd May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shulman, Graham
• Is Part Of: Infant observation. Volume 19:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 97
• Page End: 119
• Publication Date: 2016-05-03
• Subjects: infant observation -- clinical tool -- parent−infant psychotherapy -- parental mental illness -- observational frame and stance -- seeing with feeling -- experience near -- container-contained -- CAMHS outreach service; Infant psychology -- Periodicals; Child development -- Periodicals; 155.422
• DOI: 10.1080/13698036.2016.1210902
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-8036

Abstract

Abstract : This article discusses the use and value of infant observation 1 as a clinical tool in parent−infant psychotherapy in the home setting with parents with mental illness or severe and enduring mental health difficulties. A single case study is given of work undertaken in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service for parents who are mostly too unwell to attend or access clinic-based services. Parent−infant psychotherapy, like much of the work of this service, is therefore offered in the family home. The home setting makes it a natural context in which to use a psychoanalytic infant observation frame and stance as a clinical tool in psychoanalytic parent−infant psychotherapy. Clinical techniques and methods of psychoanalytic parent−infant psychotherapy are used within an infant observation frame and stance. The article considers some reasons why psychoanalytic infant observation as a clinical tool seems particularly suited and effective with this patient group.