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The following presentation was originally meant for a group of child analysts whose approach to psychoanalytic therapy for children varies greatly. In order to facilitate a future discussion on advantages or disadvantages of various techniques, I was asked to present material from the case of a child who was "definitely" in analysis, but not for too long a period. The presentation of a fragment of an analysis is of necessity without conclusions, though not without implications. The original aim of this paper explains why certain aspects of technique are dealt with even though they do not represent any particular problematic issues.
The case of Sherry seemed to me to be particularly suitable for such a presentation, because the child's desire for treatment and her unusual co-operation made for a smooth course of analysis. Thus, the first six months of her analysis were unusual in that they did not show the intial difficulties which are almost always present.
I will eliminate the traditional developmental history and the description of the child's milieu. I think the material itself will give a better description of the child and her life than I could do in a brief summary.
Sherry is now eight years old. Shortly after the birth of her younger sister Ann, when Sherry was four years and three months old, she developed insomnia and fear of death, symptoms which reached a height six months later. Sherry has known me from two visits at the age of six when her parents brought her to me for advice on how to cope with her symptoms. I advised analysis at that time; the parents, however, decided against it. The two preanalytic sessions, when the parents were deliberating treatment, will be referred to later.
While the child feared her father, she had a very close relationship with her