Field Theory in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalysis

"Beautifully written, Elena Molinari's book captures the particular features of child analysis as well as their potential transformative role in the analytic work with adults. Her deep aesthetic sensibility, born from a rich ongoing practice of child analysis, yields an original and innovative focus on the figurative aspects of emotions and thoughts in general – as well as of the analytic process itself. In a language which is both poetic and clear, accompanied by detailed clinical illustrations, the various chapters enlighten crucial notions such as ‘containment patterns’ versus ‘transformation patterns’, areas of lies versus areas of "let's pretend", turning Molinari's book not only into an important textbook for child analysis – but also into a true transitional space for creativity and thought‫.‬"-Dana Amir, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Supervising and Training Analyst , The Israel Psychoanalytic Society; Head of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Psychoanalysis, Dept. of Counseling and Human Development, University of Haifa.

"This is a brilliant book, exciting and very accessible: a good combination of education, emotional support, and psychoanalytic thinking. Elena Molinari with her expertise in childhood, shares her complex views on the link between analysis with young children and psychoanalysis with adults. Exploring the spirit of analytic work, she shows with beautiful clinical examples how the creative and transformative process of analysis is an art."-Christine Anzieu-Premmereur, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Columbia University Psychoanalytic Center’s Parent-Infant Program; member at the Société Psychanalytique de Paris and of the New York Psychoanalytic Institute.

"This fine collection of Elena Molinari's work attests to the immense creativity and innovation she brings to the consulting room. One of the distinguishing characteristics of Elena Molinari's approach is that she allows herself to be inspired by what we might call environmental reveries through which her own highly creative thought processes capture and transform real-life events into images and dream fragments, providing her with keys to understanding, organizing or working through her patients' mental suffering or blocks. As an analyst in the session, she succeeds in being a presence that is, at one and the same time, highly active and felt yet never intrusive and always respectful of the other's thoughts and indeed otherness. This hugely inspiring book also attests to her great ability to tune into children’s and adolescents' language, emotions and interests. Ever in step with the times, she fosters a feeling of being on the same wavelength as her young patients, which allows the development of fantasies and the creation of worlds inhabited by both analyst and patient in equal measure. Field Theory in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalysis will be a rewarding experience for all who read it. I couldn't be more enthusiastic about this book."-Antonino Ferro, Training Analyst, Italian Psychoanalytic Society, IPA and APsaA member.

"Following Elena Molinari's capability to experience, decipher and encourage the 'languages of achievement' of both, child and adolescent patients, is fascinating and enriching. Her vast knowledge of art and literature and the way she connects all the different fields makes this book deeply inspirational and pleasant reading. Not only is this fabulous book fundamental for analysts who work with children and adolescents, but also for those that want to understand the basic psychodynamics within their (adult) patients."-Angela Mauss-Hanke, Editor of "Internationale Psychoanalyse" and Training Analyst, Wolfratshausen and Munich.