Training in the clinic: an initial experience with children and families guided by Psychoanalysis

Abstract

The complexity of the current problems has driven a constant improvement in the clinical training of Psychology trainees in order to meet the diverse demands of the contemporary subject. The present theoretical-clinical study was intended to reflect on the formation of the clinical attitude of the Psychology student from an initial experience of attending a group of children and parents, in an evaluation/intervention modality guided by Psychoanalysis. Clinical material from the transcriptions, observations and supervision of the sessions that took place in a university clinic was used. The initial complaints of learning problems and difficulties in school could be amplified. Insecurity was initially experienced by the trainees when encountering the diversities and familiarities, with the subsequent construction of bonds within the group and greater involvement of the parents in the difficulties of the children. The supervisions allowed the analysis of unconscious aspects of the relationships, transference and countertransference, considering the negative capacity involved, with the supervisor seeking to accompany the trainees in the metabolization of this emotional experience. They could to improve observations, to interconnect theoretical-technical knowledge with practice and to construct reflections regarding the professional posture and clinical attitude.