ABSTRACT
Francoise Dolto’s clinical work with children and adults was based on the key notion that inside the body of every human being is a desiring subject, however hidden and unheard—even in newborn infants who have chosen to survive despite difficult odds. Dolto worked with the parents to understand the events what had occurred in the child’s life. Dolto had the idea for “The Green Houses”, which offered a setting for “separation and reunion” but also for “the child in a learning and socialisation process”. The Green Houses gave both children and parents an opportunity to prepare for the new conditions with support from professionals. Caroline Eliacheff is a student of Francoise Dolto’s, and in her professional capacity she observed Dolto’s clinical work every Thursday in her clinic at Rue Cujas. She is herself a trained physician, child psychiatrist, and psychoanalyst.
