Developmental Science and Psychoanalysis: Integration and Innovation

As a discipline, psychoanalysis began at the interface of mind and brain and has always been about those most enduring mysteries of life, of how it is that our most basic concerns are about finding, establishing, preserving, and mourning our relationships. Basic developmental neuroscience and psychology have also of late turned to these basic questions of affiliation.

The joint program marked by this volume brings together psychoanalysts and developmental cognitive and neuroscientists to address these most basic mind-brain, body and mind issues with shared perspectives. This volume marks the establishment of a joint program of research, training, and clinical service between two institutions historically dedicated to the well-being of children and their families: the Anna Freud Centre in London and the Child Study Center. This joint program offers a new model of interdisciplinary empirical research to psychoanalytic approaches to children’s development and mental health. This volume brings together psychoanalysts and developmental cognitive and neuroscientists to address these most basic mind-brain, body and mind issues with shared perspectives.

As a discipline, psychoanalysis began at the interface of mind and brain and has always been about those most enduring mysteries of life, of how it is that our most basic concerns are about finding, establishing, preserving, and mourning our relationships. Basic developmental neuroscience and psychology have also of late turned to these basic questions of affiliation.

The joint program marked by this volume brings together psychoanalysts and developmental cognitive and neuroscientists to address these most basic mind-brain, body and mind issues with shared perspectives. This volume marks the establishment of a joint program of research, training, and clinical service between two institutions historically dedicated to the well-being of children and their families: the Anna Freud Centre in London and the Child Study Center. This joint program offers a new model of interdisciplinary empirical research to psychoanalytic approaches to children’s development and mental health. This volume brings together psychoanalysts and developmental cognitive and neuroscientists to address these most basic mind-brain, body and mind issues with shared perspectives.

Peter Fonagy PhD FBA is Freud Memorial Professor of Psychoanalysis and Director of the Sub-Department of Clinical Health Psychology at University College London. He is Chief Executive of the Anna Freud Centre, London. He is a clinical psychologist and a training and supervising analyst in the British Psycho-Analytical Society in child and adult analysis. He has published over 200 chapters and articles and has authored or edited several books.

Linda Mayes M.D. is the Arnold Gesell Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychology, Yale Child Study Center. Dr. Mayes is also the chair of the Directorial team of the Anna Freud Centre, London.

Mary Target Ph.D. is Reader in Psychoanalysis at University College London and member of the directorial team as the Professional Director of the Anna Freud Centre. She is Chair Elect of the Psychotherapy Section of the British Psychological Society.