ABSTRACT
This chapter describes a number of clinical situations in which under fives' counselling has been offered to families who are concerned about symptomatic behaviours in their children. Unresolved issues in family life, individual frailties and an inborn predisposition in the child can produce disturbances and blockages in ordinary development, which are expressed through a variety of symptoms. The chapter explores two types of counselling. The first one is the more traditional one where up to five sessions are offered to families, possibly followed by another set of five, if needed. The second type of counselling applies to more disturbed families for whom the initial five or ten sessions prove not to be enough. Further treatment is indicated and either the family treatment continues open-ended with the same therapist or other forms of therapy.
