ABSTRACT
After a child or adolescent has been seen individually for three assessment sessions, the author meet back with the parents to discuss his thoughts about the assessment. The parents will be expecting some discussion as to what is the best way to help the child and themselves with their presenting concerns. Although discussing the assessment, this meeting is also a therapeutic consultation. Many children love the exclusive attention they receive, as well as having the opportunity to play or talk about whatever they like. Some earlier child analysts, such as Melanie Klein, felt it was not a good idea to get the parents involved in any direct therapeutic engagement with the child. The influence of family therapy, attachment theory, infant mental health research, and Bion's theory of containment have generally changed this attitude. Some parents need to be helped to appreciate that understanding a child's difficult behaviour does not mean surrendering firm limits to such behaviour.
