Delion, Pierre

The psychoanalysis and observation of babies according to Esther Bick - 2016.


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Psychoanalysis allows psychotherapists to be trained for this “impossible task.” Nevertheless, it is necessary to know about babies to become a child psycho­therapist. Esther Bick’s method of infant observation is one of the most fruitful opportunities for achieving this. This paper attempts to reflect on the relevance of these two approaches, from a psychopathological point of view as well as that of the uncertainties of the transference/counter-transference relationship. The paper also addresses the institutional impacts of Esther Bick’s method. There is no doubt that at a time in the history of thoughts where psychoanalysis is unfairly disqualified, some applications of Esther Bick’s method could bring to the fore its importance in the treatment of psychic pain in children.