This work investigates the fundamental role of the therapist's presence in facilitating psychological development for children with severe emotional disturbances. Anne Álvarez, a distinguished child psychotherapist, draws upon decades of clinical experience to argue that the therapist must become a 'live' object—emotionally available and responsive—to help patients who have retreated into states of withdrawal or non-existence. The text provides a theoretical framework for understanding how active engagement can bridge the gap between a child's internal isolation and the external world.

Experts in the field of child psychoanalysis recognize this text as a significant contribution to the treatment of severe developmental disorders. Readers frequently note the clinical depth and the compassionate, practical approach the author takes toward complex therapeutic challenges.