When the Crib Is the Couch

Too young for therapy? Infant psychotherapy can detect developmental issues and parental anxiety.

By Matthew Hutson, published on March 01, 2007 - last reviewed on July 11, 2008

In an age when it seems everyone is in therapy, should babies join the ranks of couch-sitters? Whether due to overanxious parents or a growing understanding of developmental psychology, infant psychotherapy is on the rise. "It's never too early. I see newborns," says Christine Anzieu-Premmereur, a psychoanalyst and the director of the Parent-Infant Program at Columbia University.

In many cases, serious developmental issues such as delays in language acquisition or social capabilities can be identified before the age of 2, and something can be done about it. Signs of autism and depression can be spotted at 4 months. Even in not-so-dire cases, intervention is rarely a bad thing. "Babies always have symptoms—it's normal life. They don't sleep, they don't eat. Most of the time it's not something severe but it's difficult for the parents to face," Anzieu-Premmereur says.

In a typical session, the therapist engages the child but most importantly talks with the parents and watches the family dynamics. Sometimes play sessions are videotaped and discussed. "I'm not in charge of the child," Anzieu-Premmereur says. "The goal is to give the parents the tools to interact. It's about the link."

"The problem is often a relationship disturbance," says Charles Zeanah, editor of the Handbook of Infant Mental Health. "This is not a blame game, but rather a way of understanding what needs to change in order to make things better."