Psychic Hooks and Bolts: Psychoanalytic Work with Children Under Five and their Families

In this book it is made plain that complex and powerful understanding can take place in brief work. The baby’s development is carried forward, the family re-groups differently, and understanding brings a change in behaviour.‘- Lisa Miller, from the Foreword.'This book focuses on young children as old as five and the parents and siblings who live with them. It wants to explore deep, unconscious connections between children and parents, especially in those cases where symptomatic behaviours develop and turn a potentially pleasant and satisfying family life into hell.’ - Maria Pozzi, from the Introduction.This fascinating and comprehensive work is divided into two parts. The first gives the theoretical background to the subject, outlining the main theories of the pioneering Melanie Klein, Wilfred Bion and Donald Winnicott. The second part deals with the clinical cases that illustrate issues such as post-natal depression, separation difficulties, eating problems, bereavement and loss, learning disabilities and hyperactivity. Pazzi also provides a chapter on Parents’ Line - a form of telephone counselling that she developed to help parents and their children before they are placed on a long waiting list. This is an absorbing volume that will be of interest to all who work with children and families.