ABSTRACT
This chapter describes aspects of work in a hospital setting and returns to the subject of individual therapy with both out-patients and in-patients. The functions of a residential psychiatric unit for children are discussed. A child psychiatric department in a hospital may offer certain facilities not always present in a child guidance clinic. The majority of children coming to hospitals for psychotherapy or other forms of treatment do attend on an out-patient basis. It is generally preferable for children to continue living in their own homes, and to attend the hospital either by themselves or together with other family members who may be involved in the treatment programme. Treatment is designed to answer the needs of the particular problem presented, and may consist of one or more of the following approaches – individual psychotherapy for a child, therapeutic interviews with one or both parents, and whole-family interviews.
