The Aims of Child Psychotherapy: A Kleinian Perspective

Abstract

This article describes the aims of child psychotherapy from a Kleinian perspective. Following a brief historical overview, it uses a children’s story and clinical material to suggest that one aim may be described as helping the child to reintegrate split- off parts of the personality. It is argued that this approach is significantly different from those that are targeted at symptom relief. The importance of interpretation is emphasized as the means by which the child is given an experience of being able to think about feelings that may previously have been disowned. The ability to own these feelings is seen as integral to mental health.