A therapeutic approach to reactive ego disturbances in children in placement.

Abstract

This paper describes a therapeutic approach to the problem of the child who has lost the capacity for object relations following separation from his parents and placement. A specialized adaptation of an analytic technique is employed in the casework treatment. It consisted mainly of working through the defenses against affects and reviving the affects around the initial trauma of placement. Concurrent group treatment was employed for continuing diagnosis, to test the movement in object relationships and to provide a milieu in which readiness for new ties might be gratified. Prophylactic considerations are taken up in a final section.