Scope and Content Note
The papers of Juliana Knoepfmacher (1899-1974), known primarily as “Lia” during the American period of her career after the 1940s, span the years 1929-1980, with the bulk of the material concentrated in the years 1940-1960. The collection consists of professional files relating to her work as a child therapist and her writings on the treatment of children. The papers contain lectures, speeches, writings, notes, minutes, agenda, correspondence, memoranda, biographical material, and printed matter arranged alphabetically by topic or type of material. Patient case files and notes are closed.
Much of the collection relates to Knoepfmacher’s professional associations and her work as a training supervisor with the Jewish Board of Guardians in New York City. Minutes, memoranda, and reports from the Jewish Board of Guardians and other organizations explore such topics as supervision and teaching methods, time in treatment, treatment goals, diagnostic criteria, private practice, and fee structures. Files from the Paul Federn Study Group feature meeting notes and discussion material, including a paper by August Aichhorn on transference in child guidance dated 1936. Writings by Knoepfmacher include her account of a Montessori school she directed in Vienna from 1927 to 1937 and articles and papers principally relating to her work in the field of child therapy. The balance of the professional files include speeches, lectures, and writings of others.