What can be learnt from observing a 5-week baby massage group in a Parent-Infant Mental Health Service?

The thesis presented below is the account of a qualitative research project conducted in a Parent Infant Mental Health Service (PIMHS) by a Child Psychotherapist. The project explores the learning experience of setting up and conducting a small research study about an early intervention, a baby massage group delivered in PIMHS within a large NHS trust. The thesis consists of literature review of the cultural and historical context of baby massage, baby massage research and relevant psychoanalytic concepts such as containment and holding; a methodology section comprises of the research methods section, ethics and grounded theory and observational methods are also described; the grounded theory analysis and findings are also presented and a discussion of the findings and psychoanalytic concepts is given. The findings are grouped in four thematic categories: Roles of the Facilitators, Group Dynamics, Changes and Developments and Touch and Bodily Communication. The conclusion explores learnings for practice.