Some Risk Factors in the Psychotherapy of Children and Families: Well-Established Techniques That Can Put Some Clients at Risk

Based on the experience of a sample of professionals who completed a brief questionnaire, on the author's own clinical experience, and on a literature review cases are presented where selected therapeutic practices in child mental health produced negative outcomes and, therefore, place some clients at risk. These practices are: empathy, efforts to restructure the family, efforts to change disciplinary practices, and structuring for disclosure. In addition, while not a process variable, client perceptions of therapy can exacerbate problems. Clinicians can use these findings to enhance their consent to treat interactions with clients.