ABSTRACT
This chapter concerns a group for children with progressive musculo-skeletal wasting disorders that is run at a main stream secondary school. Initially two members of the group had learning disabilities, two did not. The orientation is that of psychodynamic group therapy, and the therapists are grappling with the dilemma of how much to challenge the children’s defences, given the poor prognosis related to their medical conditions. The main issues in running this group are described and explored, specifically the impact of the setting, the use of physical touch, challenging defence mechanisms, and making interpretations. The given task, as requested by the school, was to help the group participants reflect on their mortality—an aim that, it is concluded, is not necessarily achievable or desirable.
