Childhood psychotherapy: a bioenergetic approach

The consequences of early childhood trauma are often severe and may extend into adulthood resulting in neurotic or even psychotic personality disorders. Separation from a parent at birth or soon afterwards and sexual and/or physical abuse are the traumata seen most often in young children. However, emotional unavailability of the person the child relates to or, on the other hand, overstimulation of a baby can also be disastrous. Treating children at an early age therefore becomes a prime issue in order to prevent more serious damage later on in life. Presented here for the first time is an application of bioenergetic interventions modified to suit young children. The collection of contributions by experienced body-oriented psychotherapists, all in private practice, deals with pregnancy, birth and early childhood, providing insight into both preventive as well as healing aspects.