Abstract

PRADO, Luiz Carlos et al. Short-term parent-infant psychotherapy: a review of the literature. Rev. psiquiatr. Rio Gd. Sul [online]. 2009, vol.31, n.3, suppl., pp. 1-13. ISSN 0101-8108.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0101-81082009000400008.

This article presents a review of the literature on short-term parent-infant psychotherapy. Initially, some historical aspects are presented since the emergence of short-term psychotherapy, including the theoretical formulations that highlighted the importance of early parent-infant relationships and helped to implement the field of short-term parent-infant psychotherapy. There are several approaches to parent-infant psychotherapy, representing a broad diversity of theoretical and technical frameworks. Empirical studies were also reviewed, especially those using parent-infant psychotherapy in the context of maternal depression. Finally, the authors' experience with short-term parent-infant psychotherapy involving families with depressive mothers was presented. This approach has shown to be effective in the promotion of better mother-father-infant relationship in the presence of maternal depressive symptoms.

Keywords : Parent-infant psychotherapy; psychotherapy research; maternal depression.