Contact refusal by children following acrimonious separation: therapeutic approaches with children and parents.
This paper aims to build on the existing literature, by presenting some thoughts based on clinical experience with nine families of children referred for intractable contact refusal with one parent following marital separation. This particular group of high-conflict divorce cases engenders an inordinate amount of frustration both within the courts and therapeutic agencies. We outline here our assessment process and therapeutic strategies, as well as consideration of the role of the wider professional system and the courts. We conclude that whether or not direct contact with the rejected parent is achieved, useful therapeutic work can be carried out to assist children in moving on with their lives.
Department of Child & Adolescent Mental Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital, UK. margaret.dejong@gosh.nhs.uk
Margaret
M
Dejong
Hilary
H
Davies
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D004243:Divorce / Q000523:psychology*; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D012059:Rejection, Psychology