Families

The family is the most important resource and influence for a child. Sometimes parents, siblings, grandparents, nannies, or other important family members need to be involved in family sessions. They can help understand and solve a problem. For some behavior problems in childhood and adolescence, family sessions are more productive than individual. This is particularly true when parents and older children need to learn better ways to communicate and negotiate with each other. Family sessions can also help parents deal with problems among siblings. The family sessions furnish opportunities to observe and practice skills.

The family can be of great help in an evaluation. Seeing a child in the context of his family provides information that cannot be duplicated. With young children, a family play interview is an opportunity to observe attachments, play skills, communication, and conflict resolution.