Relational V-code conditions in a child and adolescent population do warrant treatment

It is often argued that relational V-code conditions are less serious than classical psychiatric disorders, and that they should therefore receive low er clinical priority or diminished levels of treatment funding. Despite the se common assertions, there have been virtually no studies that have used a ctual case data to evaluate whether such problems are in fact less serious and less worthy of treatment funding. We used actual case data from a unive rsally funded child and family clinic to evaluate these questions. Results showed that both classical diagnoses and relational problems were significa ntly related to markers of clinical severity. As with previous research, fa mily therapy was not differentially associated with a larger number of trea tment sessions.