The Place of Playing in Psychoanalysis of Children

Abstract

Winnicott ́s playing theory brought significant modifications on contemporaneous psychoanalytic thought. The analytic relation became to be considered the creation of a potencial space in which two people have the possibility of playing together. Only then, the patient can find his self and develop his creativity. Transposed to the situation of infantile analysis, the mutual playing between patient and analyst is the principal realization of psychotherapy. Through the report of the playing of a six-year-old girl in psychoanalytic treatment, this paper aimed to demonstrate the therapeutical and changing capacity of the playing experience in the analytic relation. It was found that the mutual playing between patient and analyst made possible that significant transformations could happen.