REFLECTIONS ON WAYS TO CREATE A SAFE THERAPEUTIC CULTURE FOR CHILDRENIN FAMILY-THERAPY

Although a large number of publications in. the family therapy field s tress the importance of children in family therapy, some authors repor t that, in practice, many family therapists do not actively involve ch ildren in their therapies. In this article, I reflect on the experient ial reasons for this exclusion of children. I will consider the import ance of the use of the self of the therapist and of the creation of a safe therapeutic culture for the child. Practical suggestions are made of ways to involve children in family therapy. Finally, these ideas a re illustrated in a case example of a family therapy with an adoptive family.