THE 2-HOUSES TECHNIQUE - A CLINICAL METHOD FOR ASSESSMENT OF CHILDRENS PERCEPTION OF THEIR FAMILIES

The Two-Houses Technique (2HT) was introduced by Victor Szyrynski in 1 949 as an approach to investigating family dynamics in child pyschiatr y. The method is time-saving and simple in application and combines th ree elements in psychiatric diagnosis: play, interview, and projection . 2HT was included together with semi-structured child interviews and family assessments in a study of 60 children (age 7-16 years) suspecte d of having rheumatic diseases. Thirty per cent of the children forgot to include themselves one or more times. They had lower functioning o n the Children's Global Assessment Scale but not lower self-esteem (Ch ild Assessment Schedule). Two clinical examples illustrate that the 2H T can be a useful tool in clinical work with families. For research pu rposes further studies of validity and reliability are needed.