The importance of observing babies in the education of psychotherapists

With the development of technology and ingeniousness of researchers in designing experiments in the last decades it became possible to explore and research various developmental processes during the early life of human beings. It can be said that we now know more about the first year of life than we know about any other period of life. Developmental psychologists and neuroscientists are interested in minute details of the interaction between babes and their parents and the analysis of data gained through experimental observations is focused on the role and mutual influence that both the parent and the baby have on their interaction. Microanalysis (frame by frame) of films is complex as it takes into account multidimensionality of the interaction and includes both parents' and babies' perspectives. Naturalistic baby observation can be used for research, but also as an essential part of training and education of psychoanalytic psychotherapists and psychoanalysts of children and adults. Alongside individual personal analysis, theoretical seminars, supervisions and clinical learning, baby observation is unique in terms of training in skills and capacities that are necessary for future psychotherapists, particularly in learning to see, think about and understand nonverbal communication and containing powerful emotions and primitive states of mind. The accent is on an experiential way of learning through which theory comes to life and becomes understandable on both intellectual and emotional level. Furthermore, baby observation contributes to personal development because it gives an observer the opportunity to gain insight in and test their own assumptions and prejudices which can influence the observing and seeing of something that is expected to be seen and not what is actually there to be seen. This article will focus on the importance of naturalistic baby observation for the development of skills and capacities essential for the future psychotherapists.