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'How I wonder what you are?': what infant observation offers family therapy.

Authors :
Bunston, Wendy
Jones, Sarah J.
Source :
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy. Dec2023, Vol. 44 Issue 4, p440-454. 15p.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Training in infant observation, highly valuable in the infant mental health (IMH) field, has an enormous amount to offer family therapists. These two fields of practice, both hold working with the relational world of their clients as central. As two senior family therapists who are also IMH practitioners, we invite those reading this paper to explore the possibilities inherent in undertaking infant observation training as a pathway to enriching and expanding their practice. We provide an overview of infant observation training, how this approach was conceived, and explore the benefits of honouring the subjectivity of the infant, that of bringing the infant's experience alive in the therapeutic space. We provide direct examples from our own practice. We conclude with how infant observation might be incorporated into family therapy training and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0814723X
Volume :
44
Issue :
4
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
174443516
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/anzf.1565