Melanie Klein

Melanie Klein was a pioneering psychoanalyst known for her work in child psychology and object relations theory. She believed that early childhood experiences, especially with primary caregivers, shape personality and emotional life. Klein used play therapy to understand children's inner worlds, interpreting their play as a reflection of their feelings and conflicts. Her concepts, such as the "paranoid-schizoid" and "depressive positions," describe different ways individuals manage anxiety and relationships throughout life. Klein's ideas significantly influenced psychotherapy and emphasized the importance of unconscious thoughts and feelings in shaping behavior and relationships.