Child & Adolescent

Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis:

My work with children and adolescents begins by building a strong, trusting relationship and forming a collaborative partnership with both the patient and their family. I focus on understanding each individual’s emotional experience, coping strategies, and developmental strengths and challenges. Working closely with parents is an essential part of the process, as my goal is not only to support healthy development but also to strengthen the relationship between the child or adolescent and their parents.

With advanced academic and post-doctoral training in child development, I bring a deep understanding of the many factors that influence a young person’s growth, including biological, genetic, neurological, familial, and social influences. This comprehensive perspective allows me to create treatment plans that are thoughtfully tailored to each patient’s unique needs, helping them build resilience, overcome difficulties, and reach their full potential.

Areas Of Expertise:

  • Excessive sibling rivalry

  • School Readiness

  • Aggressive behaviors at school

  • Compulsive thinking or rituals

  • Inattentiveness and disinterest in learning

  • Educational issues

  • Excessive shyness and separation problems

  • Social development and preparedness for school

  • Eating disorders

  • Emotional disturbance

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Separation Anxiety and Fearfulness

  • Sleepiness and Nightmares

  • Night terrors or sleepwalking

  • Excessive sadness or depression

  • History of neglect or abuse (emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse)

  • Extreme aggression

  • Oppositional Defiant Behaviors or Disorders

  • Disturbances in conduct

Working With Children

I have worked with children throughout my career, using play therapy as a central part of my child-focused psychoanalytic approach. Play offers a natural and non-threatening way for children to express their thoughts and emotions, often without words. In these sessions, the child leads the process, allowing me to observe patterns and understand the underlying issues being communicated. This insight helps guide the child toward greater self-awareness and emotional understanding.

Play Therapy

Working with Adolescents:

  • As children become adolescents, parents often sense a shift in their relationship. Teens begin to see that ideals are not always real, which can lead to confusion and a sense of loss. Without the tools to manage these changes and increasing responsibilities, some adolescents struggle. This can show up as withdrawal, academic issues, self-harm, or other challenging behaviors.

  • In these cases, I work with both the adolescent and their parents to understand what support is needed. Treatment involves regular face-to-face sessions that offer consistency and a safe space for the teen to explore their thoughts and emotions. Frequent sessions help reduce isolation and guide the adolescent back toward healthy development.

    A key goal is helping teens reflect on their feelings and express them clearly. This builds emotional stability, stronger relationships, and self-awareness.

  • Parents are vital partners in this work. Their insight, combined with my understanding of emotional development, allows us to build a clear picture of the teen’s inner world. This shared understanding is essential for real and lasting change.

Parent Involvement

Parents are often included in the process. Through the play, I can help them better understand their child’s struggles and provide practical strategies for managing behavior at home. When children feel understood and supported, problematic behaviors tend to decrease in both frequency and intensity.

Duration

Play therapy sessions typically occur two to four times a week, lasting about 45 minutes. The duration of treatment varies depending on the child’s needs, ranging from a few months to two years or more. I also collaborate with teachers and other professionals involved in the child’s life. Together with parents, we work to reduce behavioral challenges in school and increase awareness of the child’s emotional needs, helping to create consistent support across all environments.

Parenting

    1. Try to share at least one meal together each day, or set a regular schedule for shared meals during the week. Simple routines like Monday, Wednesday, and Friday dinners can make a big difference.

    2. Engage in regular family activities, whether it’s running errands together or setting aside time for a weekly board game night.

    3. Limit screen time when possible. Phones should be turned off and kept in another room during school hours if they are a distraction.

    4. These changes may take time, but small, consistent efforts can lead to lasting habits. Over time, you will move from simply adjusting to fully embracing these strategies, which can strengthen communication with your teen both during challenging times and beyond.

  • Every parent makes choices based on their own experiences and goals for their children. It helps to keep in mind the kind of person you want your child to become and to parent with that vision in mind.

    Positive and respectful communication, without threats or punishment, builds stronger relationships. Children feel more secure when they are understood and valued.

    Consider the limitations of parenting based only on rewards and consequences. If you have questions about your specific situation, I am here to help.

Child Psychoanalysis

  • Child psychoanalysis is an intensive form of psychotherapy, typically held three to four times a week. It aims to support healthy emotional development, helping children and adolescents overcome challenges and reach their full potential. This approach is not a quick fix but a process that builds deep and lasting inner strength.

  • The treatment is provided by a child psychoanalyst, a highly trained professional who completes several additional years of specialized education after earning a doctoral or medical degree. The analyst’s role is to identify and remove psychological obstacles, guiding the child back to a healthier developmental path and emotional well-being.

  • n sessions, younger children often express themselves through play, drawing, or creative activities, while adolescents usually communicate through conversation. These methods allow children to share their inner experiences in ways that feel natural to them. The analyst listens carefully, seeks to understand, and helps the child or adolescent put their feelings into words to work through difficulties they could not manage alone.

    An essential part of the process involves exploring the relationship between the child and the analyst. This relationship often mirrors important family dynamics and, when understood, supports the child in moving from reactive behaviors toward thoughtful, intentional growth.

What is The Role of Parents and Other Adults

  • Parents are the most important adults in a child’s life and are essential partners in psychoanalytic treatment. I often tell parents, “Without you, I cannot do my job. I need you in order to help your child.” Their involvement is key to understanding the child and supporting the therapeutic process.

    I believe every parent wants to be a good parent. Sometimes they just need support in understanding their child’s emotional life. Difficulties may arise from within the child or adolescent, and these challenges are often complex. Understanding them is crucial for healthy development.

  • Other adults, such as teachers, also play an important role. While I do not share clinical details with them, teachers provide valuable insight into the child’s daily life. They can observe how the child interacts with peers, focuses in class, manages distractions, and relates to authority figures. This information helps build a fuller understanding of the child’s emotional and social world.

Child psychoanalysis has long been a trusted form of treatment in Europe and Latin America. In the United States, it remains less widely accepted, in part due to limited public awareness. The treatment can also be a significant investment, requiring three to five sessions per week, and emotional commitment from parents. However, the benefits are deep and lasting. A successful psychoanalytic treatment can profoundly and permanently improve a child’s life.

For more information about child psychoanalysis, please visit my website at www.drboscan.com or explore the resources offered by the American Psychoanalytic Association, the International Psychoanalytic Association, or the Association for Child Psychoanalysis.