What does Winnicott mean by play?
Winnicott suggested play was a way of reaching the authentic, creative, less-defended part of a person’s personality—i.e. the “True” self, in terms of his True and False Self-distinction (1960).
What did Donald Winnicott do?
Donald Woods Winnicott was a paediatrician who was amongst the first cohort to train as a psychoanalyst in the late 1920s. His contribution to the evolution of psychoanalysis constitutes a significant shift from classical Freudian theory.
Who is Donald Winnicott and what is his object relations theory about?
Donald Winnicott (1896-1971) was a London paediatrician who studied psychoanalysis with Melanie Klein. Although accepting Klein, he viewed the key aspect of healthy development as rooted in relationships and micro-interactions with other people, thus taking particular interest in Object Relations Theory.
What is healthy development in Winnicott theory?
Healthy development happens within a ‘facilitating environment’ or with the care of a ‘good enough’ or ‘ordinary devoted’ mother who is completely adaptive to her infant’s need at the beginning of his or her life.
What is Winnicott potential space?
According to Winnicott, “Potential space . . . is the hypothetical area that exists (but cannot exist) between the baby and the object (mother or part of mother) during the phase of the repudiation of the object as not-me, that is, at the end of being merged in with the object” ([1], p. 107).
Who Analysed Winnicott?
Donald Winnicott Already deeply interested in child psychology, Winnicott decided to go into analysis with James Strachey, an analysis which lasted 10 years. He was later analysed by Joan Riviere, and started his analytic training in 1927.
What is good enough parenting Winnicott?
Winnicott, a paediatrician and child psychotherapist who coined the term ‘good enough mother’, believed that responding to an infant responsively and sensitively over time allowed the infant to be appropriately dependent and to transition to an increasingly more autonomous position, tolerating frustration and waiting.
Is Winnicott still relevant?
Winnicott’s works have been highly valued in the decades since they were first published, and are still relevant today. Winnicott’s writings help us to understand the maturational processes of children, certainly.
What is potential space in therapy?
Potential space is the opening that allows for the unknown, for surprise. This is experienced in the process of psychotherapy. Potential space is necessary for change and growth and in the process of creating art. This experience may translate to increased responsiveness and efficacy in the clinical encounter.
