El corazón pensante: tres niveles de terapia psicoanalítica con niños perturbados

Sobre el libro

The Thinking Heart: Three Levels of Psychoanalytic Therapy with Disturbed Children is a foundational work by Anne Alvarez that deeply explores therapeutic work with severely disturbed children. Originally published in English, this book has become a reference for psychotherapists, psychiatrists, and child mental health professionals.

The author proposes a theoretical and clinical framework that distinguishes three levels of psychoanalytic intervention, adapted to the specific needs of each child. Throughout its pages, Alvarez combines theory with detailed clinical cases, offering a practical and humane view of therapy.

Three levels of therapy

The central concept of the book is the differentiation of three levels in the therapeutic process:

• Explanatory level: focuses on interpretation and cognitive understanding of internal conflicts.
• Containment level: seeks to provide a safe and emotionally supportive environment for the child.
• Integration level: works on connecting emotional and cognitive experiences to achieve profound change.

This structure allows the therapist to adjust their approach according to the child's state, from the most regressed cases to those with greater insight capacity.

Who is it for?

This book is primarily aimed at psychoanalytic psychotherapists, clinical psychologists, and child psychiatrists. It is also of great value for advanced psychology students and professionals interested in dynamic psychotherapy with children. Although the language is technical at times, the clinical examples facilitate understanding.

It is not a self-help book nor is it aimed at parents, but rather at specialists seeking to deepen their clinical practice.

About the author

Anne Alvarez is a renowned psychotherapist and child psychoanalyst. She has worked for decades in the field of child mental health and is the author of several publications on psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. Her clinical experience is reflected in the richness of the cases presented in this book.

The Thinking Heart is a continuation of her previous work, expanding and refining her concepts on therapy with severely disturbed children.

Frequently asked questions

Does this book include real clinical cases?

Yes, the work presents numerous examples of therapeutic sessions, although names and details have been modified to protect patient confidentiality.

Is psychoanalytic training necessary to understand it?

Basic knowledge of psychoanalytic theory is recommended, although the concepts are clearly explained. Mental health professionals will find the content accessible.

Important note

This book is an educational resource for mental health professionals. It does not replace clinical training or supervision. Its use is recommended as a complement to supervised practice. The information contained herein should not be applied without the appropriate context of a therapeutic relationship.

Consult your training institution or professional association for more detailed guidance on its application.