“My Family as Animals”: A Technique to Promote Inclusion of Children in the Family Therapy Process

Abstract

This article describes a specific technique which can be used to assist therapists in inclusion versus exclusion of children in the family therapy process. Reasons are offered as to why family therapy often does not include children, particularly young children. It is proposed that providing therapists with more concrete tools with which to interest and maintain the attention of children that therapists will then become more comfortable with the presence of young ones in the room. “My Family as Animals” is a brief, three-part technique which may be applied as an assessment tool for family functioning as well as for intervention purposes.

Key Words:

• Children
• sandplay
• sand tray
• family therapy