The infant observation task as a tool in psychiatric practice.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to describe the method and relevance of infant observation as a unique and powerful learning tool for psychiatrists.


CONCLUSIONS
Infant observation provides a privileged entry into an infant's internal world to observe its earliest mental life. Weekly consecutive observations of the mother-baby dyad, combined with the process of supervision, enable identification of emergent and changing patterns in the relationship. The discipline of observation encourages attunement to the nuances of relationships, which provides a potent tool for application in other clinical settings.
Forensic Psychiatrist, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand, and; Honorary Senior Lecturer in Psychological Medicine, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Lillian
L
Ng
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand, and; RANZCP New Zealand Director of Advanced Training for the Psychotherapies.
Chris
C
Bampton
Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist, Te Whare Marie, Capital & Coast District Health Board, Wellington, New Zealand.
Seonaigh
S
Stevens
Psychiatrist, Community Alcohol and Drug Services, Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.
Penny
P
Woods
D000067289:Behavior Observation Techniques / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*
infant observation; psychotherapy; supervision; training