Brief Communication: Mini-Treatment Groups for Children

Abstract

This brief communication deals with a relatively unknown model of child group treatment involving only two (or occasionally three) homogeneous or heterogeneous youths. Termed “duo therapy” by some, or “peer pair psychotherapy” by others, this method has been successfully employed with children who were unsuitable for the traditional eight-member treatment groups. While in some instances, such mini-groups were used with fearful and withdrawn youngsters, in others, they were found helpful in preparing unduly impulsive ones, for membership in larger groups. This model has also been recommended for short-term diagnostic or reparative interventions in cases of severe sibling rivalry.