The family consisted of Ms S, Owen, aged 3 years, and Susan, aged 8 weeks. Father, an alcoholic, had left the family when Owen was 1 year old - the couple had had a violent relationship. Mother's new partner had been in prison for eight months. She had a poor relationship with her own family. Owen was referred by a health visitor to the Under Fives Counselling Service because of his disruptive, violent behaviour, particularly towards his mother and his baby sister. During the first of five sessions Susan slept throughout, while Owen hit and kicked at mother or me when we tried to set firm boundaries. Ms S is an attractive but careworn woman and Owen is a burly, rather thick-set child.

They were a little late and Ms S came in apologizing, saying that the baby had had her injection. Owen came in, keen to see his drawings again and showed me quickly that he had hurt his lip. Mum explained that Owen had ‘gotten into a state’ and had bitten her, and then had fallen and hurt his lip. I tried to explore a link between the baby having had her injection and Owen