The Process of Time‐Limited Psychotherapy with Latency‐Aged Children

Abstract

This approach to time-limited psychotherapy with children is an adaptation of Mann's short-term model. It is a close-ended, theme-directed treatment with three distinct phases that include: opening phase, working through, and termination. The termination phase is subdivided into five stages: denial, bargaining, anger, sadness, and acceptance. Parental alliance is essential as it reduces the possibilities for both the child and the parents to undermine the treatment process. In this approach, intensified time permits the continued resolution of separation-individuation conflict that had impeded the normal developmental process. Successful termination results in a reaffirmation of the child's competence, while the parent, once again, resumes full responsibility for the child.