Child and Adolescent Psychoanalysis as Contemporary Psychotherapy: Insights From a Semistructured Interview of Practitioners

Abstract

In response to an emerging consensus that research is important to maintain and develop the field of child and adolescent psychoanalysis, 20 child and adolescent psychoanalysts underwent a semistructured interview concerning their current practices, background, and professional values. Grounded theory methodology was applied to a section of the narratives to produce shared concepts. A significant difference was found between how child and adolescent psychoanalysts are traditionally characterized and taught and how they currently practice. This distinction was supported by findings concerning the importance of active work with parents, the therapeutic relationship, and insight. These findings underscored the similarity of child and adolescent psychoanalysis to other fields of contemporary psychotherapy. They can be used to form a bridge between psychoanalysis and the other fields of psychotherapy and to maintain some presence of the field in contemporary academic research.

Keywords: Child and Adolescent Psychoanalysis; Family; Grounded Theory; Psychoanalysis.