Selma Fraiberg Biography

Selma Fraiberg was a pioneering child psychoanalyst and social worker who made profound contributions to infant mental health. Her research notably explored the challenges faced by infants with congenital blindness, identifying critical developmental hurdles such as recognizing parents by sound alone, understanding object permanence, and forming a healthy self-image. Fraiberg observed that vision plays a crucial role in integrating other sensory modalities, and its absence can lead to developmental delays. Beyond her work with blind infants, she was instrumental in founding the field of infant mental health and developed innovative treatment approaches for infants, toddlers, and their families.