Therapeutic letters to, from and between children in family therapy

Abstract

This paper discusses the therapeutic use of letter writing within the context of family therapy. Derived from the work of White & Epston, it shows how letters written to the child by the therapist following a family session can be effective in strengthening the child's efforts to overcome the problem. Examples are given of letters written by the author to children, of letters written by children to one another, and of letters written by the author and children to their teachers, enlisting their support.