ABSTRACT
Affective regulation (AR) and symbolization are foundational processes in development and provide cues to explore psychic suffering in early infancy. Parental subjectivity and psychic structure, unconscious representations, personal history, and reflective functioning are central in the achievement of these processes. In this chapter, we relate data obtained through a systematic research based on videotaped interactive mother–child play and deep interviews with the mothers, with inferences on a deeper understanding about development and psychic structure and some implications to new approaches to clinical interventions with a psychoanalytic perspective within a flexible setting. AR, Self-regulation and Dysregulation, Dyadic Emotional Availability, Symbolization, and Parental Reflective Function are the main variables of the research. A dialogue between research and clinical work produces changes in theory and practice. We suggest a multidimensional model that articulates the intersubjective parent–child approach with an intrapsychic approach with the child and with the parents. Besides, the microanalytical and global observational instruments described in the chapter are a very powerful path for training clinicians in early intervention with a psychoanalytic perspective.
