Family observation in the psychoanalytic education. The "Kieler Modell"

Essential literature about Bick's "infant observation" (1964) is discussed. Then a new concept of "family observation" is introduced. In the discussio n of this concept we are focussing on the question, which psychoanalytic ab ilities should be developed and trained by the students, when they start fa mily observation. In the "Kieler Modell" the conditions of family observati on resemble: those of the psychotherapeutic relationship. Thus, students ca n explore how they arrange the observational relationship and they can rese arch the effects of their arrangements on the family and themselves. They c an examine psychoanalytical hypotheses considering the basics of therapeuti c relationship. This kind of family observation may induce students to deve lop a psychoanalytic attitude that has a securing effect on family relation ships. Examples of the students' observational experiences are discussed in detail.