Otto Weininger illustrates the manifestations of unconscious phantasy in children - normal, neurotic or psychotic - in various settings such as playgroups, ordinary schools or special schools for disturbed children, the family milieu or play therapy. He uses Melanie Klein's developmental theory and shows the evolutions of phantasies in their content, in the way they are symbolizes, and their functioning in terms of the child's evolution from the paranoid-schizoid position to the depressive position and Oedipus complex.

Over the past fifty years dramatic ideas and discoveries have arisen out of the work of analysts. In Phantasy in Everyday Life the author is mainly concerned with Melanie Klein's contribution to the field and with everyday application of her theories. Central to the author's theme is Melanie Klein's concept of phantasy - the unconscious fantasies which control our assumptions, our thoughts, our emotions and our behavior. The first half of the book is concerned with daily life; the second more with theoretical issues. Written from her direct experience,the author's work will prove invaluable both to professionals and to the wider general public.

First published in 1952, Phantasy in Childhood is for a psycho-analytically oriented public. The authors have set out to express in non-technical language some of the theories we owe to the work of Melanie Klein, and to show how they are repeatedly borne out in the day-to-day behaviour of children. Numerous practical examples are given, drawn from experience of children under many different conditions. In some cases the authors merely suggest interpretations which seem likely, but would need psychoanalytic confirmation; in others the meaning is unmistakable from the material available; in all, the aim has been to point to the presence and nature of unconscious phantasy, and to its expression in behaviour. Although written in simple language, the book is not easy, as, to those who are unfamiliar with it, the concept of unconscious phantasy is in itself difficult. The attempt has been made, however, to give living pictures of the children, and, while definitely not advocating the wild application of a psycho-analytic technique, to show how some understanding of the importance of phantasy can be of value to those caring for children. This book is a re-issue originally published in 1952. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

This book is a psychoanalytic observation of five children’s existential encounters in their ordinary life at the nursery. It is among the first within psychosocial literature to go beyond adult experiences and explore the existential in young children’s lives as it plays out in their everydayness in symbolic and sensory articulations and in relationship with others; including with the author as someone who arrived looking for it. The author offers analysis in the form of a writing inquiry into meaning, by means of an on-going movement between the self and the other, the interior and the exterior, and psychoanalytic and existential-phenomenological ideas. This is illustrated through a kaleidoscopic account of May, Nadia, Edward, Baba and Eilidhs’ encounters with nothingness, strangeness, ontological insecurity, death and selfhood as these emerged in the time they spent with the author embodying different forms – from concrete objects to dreams – exemplifying an attunement to existential ubiquity. With its relational ground, this work suggests the potential for adults – including researchers, therapists, trainees, educators and parents – to attune to their own existential encounters as a path to understanding those of children.

Praise for First Edition: `The book is very intimate; the first chapter on Klein′s personal and professional life is extremely candid and enlightening. Will be enjoyed by pre-professional students and psychoanalytically oriented theoreticians and practitioners′ - Choice Melanie Klein was without doubt one of the most influential figures in the development of psychoanalysis. Whilst constantly challenging Freud′s theories, and at the same time placing more importance on some of the neglected aspects of his work, Klein developed new psychoanalytic concepts from her detailed observations of the behaviour and thought processes of the children and adults she treated in the consulting room. In this Second Edition of Melanie Klein, Julia Segal uses case studies of Klein′s sessions with children to show how she developed her unique form of communication with her clients. As well as assessing Klein′s major theoretical and practical contributions to the profession, the author examines and challenges the criticisms aimed at Klein, and traces her influence on counsellors and psychotherapists working today. In contrast to existing books, which require specialist psychoanalytic knowledge, Julia Segal provides a concise and refreshing introduction to Klein′s life and work which is accessible to all.

The Psycho-Analysis of Children, first published in 1932, is a classic in its subject, and revolutionised child analysis. Melanie Klein had already proved, by the special technique she devised, that she was a pioneer in that branch of analysis. She made possible the extension of psycho-analysis to the field of early childhood, and in this way not only made the treatment of young children possible but also threw new light on psychological development in childhood and on the roots of adult neuroses and psychoses.

Narrative Therapies with Children and their Families introduces and develops the concepts and principles of narrative approaches to therapeutic work and demonstrates how narrative based approaches to practice provide a powerful and client friendly framework for engaging and working with troubled children and their families. Using clinical examples, each chapter develops a methodology around narrative practice and gives practical advice on working with narrative therapy in a variety of settings. Covering a broad range of difficult and sensitive topics, including trauma, abuse and youth offending, this book succeeds in illustrating the wide application of these principles in the context of the particular issues and challenges presented when working with children and families. This practical, practice based book will be welcomed by any professionals in the field of child, adolescent and family mental health who want to explore the benefits of employing narrative based approaches in their work.