The adolescent, in separating from his family of origin, essentially has to resolve three interdependent tasks which the author defines as integrative, adaptive and reparative reconciliation. Often there is required a 'reintegration at the base', characterized by inner turmoil, intensive anxiety, temporary disintegration, and regressive loosening of the personality. For the family therapy, these tasks of separation and reconciliation become family tasks. Their resolution is often made difficult by various styles of interaction and defensive mechanisms such as disturbance of communication, projection, cooperation in the service of mutual avoidance of guilt, etc. The therapist's function can be defined as that of a mediator in the family communication. Stierlin illustrates this typology of conflicts and reconciliations with vignettes from a family therapy.