APA Dictionary of Psychology

the application of psychoanalytic principles (considerably modified from those of classical psychoanalysis) to the treatment of children. In his first and most famous case, Sigmund Freud analyzed 5-year-old Little Hans by having the child answer questions through his father, but Freud never analyzed a child patient directly. Pioneers in the field are Melanie Klein, who developed the psychoanalytic play technique to achieve a deep analysis of the child’s unconscious, and Anna Freud, whose method was more pedagogical and encouraged ego development. See also play therapy.