Involving Children in Family Therapy and Systemic Consultation

Abstract

After reviewing the rationale for including children in therapy and reasons for the widespread practice of excluding them a variety of strategies for engaging children in various aspects of family therapy are described and illustrated with case examples. These include: making the therapeutic context attractive, explaining the therapeutic process and systemic ideas in concrete terms, tracking patterns of interaction using dolls and drawings, using genograms and lifelines to assess perception of family structure and development, using face drawings to assess perception of emotional atmosphere, tracking perceived changes using visual analogue scales, teaching turn taking, using personification and externalisation of problems and strengths to solve problems, reframing problems using stories and metaphors, coaching children in new skills and providing children with advocacy.