ABSTRACT
When working with motivated clients who trust in the process, there is room for error. With many of clients, the early sessions may make or break treatment. This is a chance to engage the child or adolescent and caregiver, get their attention, provide them with hope, arouse their curiosity and help them open themselves to different ideas of what treatment can be. The author developed the habit of transparency. The first face-to-face contact is arguably the most important. The young person is often brought in by an adult, and is unsure about being there. The first interview involves several critical tasks. The goal of this session isn't getting information, it's giving it. Providing support for a child during attachment and trauma work is challenging, emotionally draining work. Identifying and assessing dissociation early is important. Unidentified dissociation can undermine treatment and lead to split and chaotic relationships within the treatment team.
