Developments in Infant Observation The Tavistock Model

Infant observation provides unique insights into the early origins of emotional disturbance and suggests ways in which healthy development can be promoted by both professional and parent. First developed in the Tavistock clinic in 1948, the practice has been adopted by child psychiatrists and therapists world-wide.Developments in Infant Observation: The Tavistock Model is a collection of papers which offers an overview of current practice, explores the new concepts that have arisen from direct observation, and shows how the findings from observation are being applied in the research setting. An essential text for child psychotherapists in training and in practice, this is a book that brings alive the academic theories of child development through thought-provoking and stimulating studies which will be of interest to any professional working with children.

Infant observation carried out within the family is a compelling approach to the study of early human development, vividly revealing the impact of intergenerational patterns of child-rearing and the complex relationship between nature and nurture. It provides unique insights into the early origins of emotional disturbance and suggests ways in which healthy development can be promoted by both professional and parent, often resulting in changes to clinical practice. Developments in Infant Observation: The Tavistock Model is a collection of twelve key papers from international contributors. It offers an overview of current practice, explores the new concepts that have arisen from direct observation, and shows how the findings from observation are being applied in the research setting. An essential text for child psychotherapists in training and practice, this is a book that brings alive the academic theories of child development through thought-provoking and stimulating case-studies which will be of interest to any professional working with children.

Chapter 1 Introduction, Susan Reid; Part I The practice of infant observation; Chapter 2 Beginnings, Isca Wittenberg; Chapter 3 Shared unconscious and conscious perceptions in the nanny-parent interaction which affect the emotional development of the infant, Jeanne Magagna; Chapter 4 The meaning of difference, Lynda Ellis; Part II Theoretical developments; Chapter 5 First light, Eric Rhode; Chapter 6 Moments of discovery, times of learning, Alex Dubinsky, Olga Bazhenova; Chapter 7 Thoughts on the containing process from the perspective of infant/mother relations, Pamela Berse Sorensen; Chapter 8 Speculations on components in the infant’s sense of agency, Anne Alvarez, Piera Furgiuele; Chapter 9 Psychosomatic integrations Eye and mouth in infant observation, Maria Rhode; Chapter 10 Interplay, Suzanne Maiello; Part III Research developments; Chapter 11 Observed families revisited – two years on, Gertraud Diem-Wille; Chapter 12 Observing when infants are at potential risk, Stephen Briggs;

Susan Reid is Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Senior Tutor in Child Psychotherapy at the Tavistock Clinic, London. She is currently engaged in research in autism and is co-director of a pilot research project on infant observation.