Abstract

This study addresses the therapeutic relationship in child psychotherapy, through an exploration of the experience of the main actors engaged in child psychotherapy.

Objectives:

To describe and analyse the therapeutic relationship integrating the views of children, parents and therapists.

Methods:

This study employs a qualitative methodology, assuming a discovery-oriented approach which draws from grounded theory. Twelve psychotherapy triads participated, composed of children aged 6–10, their parents and psychotherapists. Semi-structured follow-up interviews were conducted (N=36), including a drawing in the case of the children.

Results:

A positive therapeutic relationship with children and parents was viewed as a gradually constructed process, based on a positive emotional encounter between participants. It was facilitated primarily by the therapist’s commitment and playful stance, the child and therapist mutual involvement, and the parent’s collaboration. These aspects entailed a trustful, validating and caring relationship, that shaped children and parents’ motivations towards therapy and facilitated change.

Conclusions:

From a multiple-perspective approach, therapy was conceived as a relational experience. The development of positive relationships required different and evolving dispositions from therapy main actors. Therapists’ genuine feelings and engagement in therapeutic activity seem central, underlining the importance of addressing relational aspects in child therapy research and training.

中文翻译：

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儿童心理治疗中的治疗关系：整合儿童、父母和治疗师的观点

摘要

本研究通过探索从事儿童心理治疗的主要参与者的经验，探讨儿童心理治疗中的治疗关系。

目标：

描述和分析整合儿童、父母和治疗师观点的治疗关系。

方法：

本研究采用定性方法，假设采用基于扎根理论的以发现为导向的方法。十二个心理治疗三合会参加，由 6-10 岁的儿童、他们的父母和心理治疗师组成。进行了半结构化的后续访谈（N = 36），包括儿童案例的绘画。

结果：

与儿童和父母建立积极的治疗关系被视为一个逐步构建的过程，基于参与者之间的积极情感接触。它主要是由治疗师的承诺和俏皮的姿态、儿童和治疗师的相互参与以及父母的合作促成的。这些方面需要一种信任、认可和关怀的关系，这塑造了儿童和父母的治疗动机并促进了改变。

结论：

从多角度的方法来看，治疗被认为是一种关系体验。积极关系的发展需要治疗主要参与者的不同和不断变化的倾向。治疗师的真实感受和对治疗活动的参与似乎是核心，强调了在儿童治疗研究和培训中解决关系方面的重要性。