Siskind is a prominent author and psychoanalytic child therapist who offers A Primer for Child Psychotherapists as her cohesive, creatively organized response to the need she recognizes for guidelines that reflect a wide-range of complex issues in the developmental approach to psychoanalytic child treatment.
Clinical Social Work Journal
Siskind more than excels in imparting to the reader how to approach child psychotherapy, and makes A Primer for Child Psychotherapist a must-read for those entering the field of child psychotherapy.
Psychologist-Psychoanalyst
This is a book to keep on our bookshelf and frequently take down, read, re-read, teach and learn from.
Nmcop Newsletter
A Primer for Child Psychotherapists is a good resource for therapists, useful to keep and reread. It would be particularly valuable as a reference for child psychotherapists practicing in places that do not have substantial therapeutic communities and for teachers of child psychotherapy.
Met Chapter Forum
Numerous clinical vignettes convey the simple, forthright way that Siskind talks with children. Introducing therapy to a child, she explains that 'we will need to figure out why things got so difficult, and how to make them better.' As this example suggests, this book will be a welcome guide and a 'must-read' for beginning therapists, a valued resource for experienced clinicians, and an important text in training programs for child therapists.
Elaine Seitz, Ph.D., Adelphi University This book is a major contribution to the area of child psychotherapy. Diana Siskind presents a beautiful and expansive dialogue across a wide range of subjects including assessment, diagnosis, play materials, play therapy, and work with parents. This volume manages to be practical and helpful while conveying the art of understanding and relating through nonverbal communication. The author brings excitement and dedication to her work and openly demonstrates how a master clinician thinks about the issues that arise in work with children.
Jeffrey Seinfeld, Ph.D., New York University School of Social Work The wisdom, experience, and solid theoretical base of the author, along with her enjoyment of the work, shine clearly throughout the book. I know of no other author who discusses working with parents with such profound respect, understanding, and depth. The clarity of her language reflects the clarity of her thought and the depth of her experience. Her manner of writing pulls the reader near and fosters self-reflection. I recommend this book to clinicians of all ranges of experience.
Barbara Shapiro, M.D., University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Child therapists often feel as if they are embarking on an unpredictable journey without a map—but no more. Diana Siskind tells you virtually everything you always wanted to know, from the initial consultation to what to do with a child who won't leave your office. Using the resources of classical psychoanalytic developmental theory, Mrs. Siskind has written a sensitive and sensible book—a rare combination.
Ava L. Siegler PhD, director, Institute for Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies, New York