Observation as a gateway: using Anna Freud’s ‘double approach’ to understand the child and parent

Anna Freud’s groundbreaking use of child observation gave rise to the ‘double approach’, an innovative methodology that combined direct child observation with psychoanalytic reconstruction. This method of gathering and understanding data resulted in Anna Freud’s developmental theory that encompassed both normative and pathological child development. Anna Freud became convinced of the need to work with the parent and child and of the power of early intervention and prevention. This paper describes the use of the ‘double approach’ during a year-long observation of a therapeutic parent-toddler group, an early intervention and prevention approach that included parents and their toddlers. The observations demonstrate the valuable role of how intervening early in the toddler’s life facilitated her processing of trauma, leading to her developing the capacity to explore and play and to form strong relationships. It underscores the invaluable role of close observations in gaining insights into the child’s behaviour and internal world.