ABSTRACT
In the therapeutic process that occurs between family members and the therapist there are particular types of person-to-person encounter that have an effect on how the process continues. Sometimes it seems as if these moments of encounter constitute change itself. These encounters can be seen in three dimensions:
1 Initially the most charged encounter or interaction takes place between family members as they hear each other's statements and feelings, often for the ®rst time. The therapist has the task of catalysing the `opening up process', which allows for the creation of new information and hence different interactions between family members. As the process unfolds a family come to trust the therapist's ability to contain the dif®cult emotions and thoughts that arise and hence this allows for the intensity of the family confrontation to deepen and solutions to develop.
