Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book portrays an overview of Anna Ornstein's exceptional and unique way of life. Anna’s work is characterized by her extraordinary courage to think critically in her own way, investigating concepts from recognized analytic child therapists that were seen as untouchable. The book outlines various main foci of theoretical and practical approaches by giving insight into Ornstein’s concept of child centered family treatment. It focuses on specific problems during the process of maturation classified by case studies. The book describes the fate of the “Children of Theresienstadt” who survived traumatizing life situations without any attachment to parents but with an existential attachment to each other. It discusses the fate of two young adolescences, Anne and Vivienne.