Anna Freud, the daughter of the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, was born on December 3, 1895, in Vienna, Austria. She was a distinguished child therapist and founder of the Hampstead Child Therapy Course and Clinic in London.

In honor of her contributions to the field of child psychology, Google pays tribute with a Doodle on her 121st birth anniversary.

Early Life and Education

Anna Freud was the youngest of six children. Her father Sigmund Freud is considered the father of psychoanalysis, and her mother Martha Bernays was from a wealthy family.

Growing up in Vienna, Anna Freud was exposed to the ideas of psychoanalysis from an early age.

Anna Freud was home-schooled and had no formal education until the age of 16, when she attended a high school in Vienna.

At the age of 18, Anna Freud began her psychoanalytic training, and by 1922, she had completed her training and was accepted as a member of the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society.

Professional Life

Anna Freud’s professional life largely revolved around her work with children. In 1923, she co-founded the Vienna Psychoanalytic Training Institute for Children, which provided psychoanalytic training to pediatricians and teachers.

In 1938, the Nazis invaded Austria, and Anna Freud and her family were forced to flee to London. In 1941, Anna Freud founded the Hampstead Child Therapy Course and Clinic, which provided therapy for children, and training for child therapists.

She continued to run the clinic until her retirement in 1982.

Anna Freud’s work at the clinic involved the application of psychoanalytic theories to the treatment of children. She developed the technique of child analysis, which involved observing and interacting with children in play therapy.

Her work also emphasized the importance of the relationship between the therapist and the child in the therapeutic process.

Honors and Contributions

Anna Freud’s work in the field of child psychology has earned her several honors and awards.

In 1951, she was made an honorary fellow of the British Psychoanalytical Society, and in 1954, she was elected as the president of the Hampstead Child Therapy Course and Clinic.

In 1975, Anna Freud was awarded the Goethe Prize by the city of Frankfurt, and in 1979, she was made a companion of honor by Queen Elizabeth II.

She was also awarded honorary degrees from several universities, including the University of Geneva and the University of Vienna.

Death and Legacy

Anna Freud died on October 9, 1982, in London, England, at the age of 86. Her contributions to the field of child psychology have had lasting impacts, and her work continues to influence the practice of child therapy today.

In honor of her 121st birth anniversary, Google has paid tribute to Anna Freud with a Doodle.

The Doodle features Anna Freud surrounded by children engaged in play therapy, reflecting her emphasis on the importance of the therapist-child relationship in the therapeutic process. The Doodle is a reminder of Anna Freud’s contributions to the field and her importance in the history of psychology.

Conclusion

Anna Freud’s work in the field of child psychology has left a lasting impact on the practice of child therapy.

Her emphasis on the importance of the therapist-child relationship, as well as her development of the technique of child analysis, have become central aspects of the practice of child therapy today. In honor of her contributions to the field, Google pays tribute to Anna Freud with a Doodle on her 121st birth anniversary.