ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on the therapeutic process, starting from the referral and finishing with the termination of a therapy. It aids as helpful to those training in child psychotherapy, and also for those professionals who use the services of child psychotherapists. A full analytic training in child therapy can only be gained by immersing oneself in one's own personal analysis or therapy, a structured program of reading, close and prolonged supervision, and enough observational experiences to understand and appreciate the value of analytic observation. In their different ways, all these activities help the child therapist to get in touch with the infant and child within themselves. It is from this position that they are better equipped to help and get to truly know the children and adolescents they are asked to see.
