ABSTRACT
The central place in psychoanalytic theory of the concepts of defence against anxiety and of emotional conflict can give an important insight into reluctance or slow pace of change. So, psychoanalytic thinking and its practice may be helpful to therapists with families as a meaningful theory of behaviour, which contributes specific psychological insight and productive self-reflection. The therapist’s task includes supporting parents to refind their ability to reflect and the family to consider their difficulties together as the child is helped to move on to healthy functioning. The therapist maintains a thinking and feeling connection to the family, while also taking a meta-position from which he or she keeps a reflective presence. The therapist relates to family members with consideration, thoughtfulness, and compassion, and without judgement or assumption, and develops with the families in the sessions the capacity better to understand and think about the troubling feelings and difficulties.
