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The issues of what to do when a child asks personal questions about a therapist and his life is one which has received little attention in the literature. The subject is raised only briefly in a few manuals for beginning psychotherapists. In the majority of cases the implication is that personal questions arise as the result of resistance to therapy and should be handled in much the same way one would interpret such questions from an adult. Advice on how to deal with such questions runs the gamut from Ginott's (1964) succinct “no autobiography” (p. 129) to Ross' (1964) more considered admonition that cutting off a child's questioning by interpreting the unconscious reasons for it may inhibit the child's natural press to explore his world and find his place in it. It is, after all, a therapist's job to help the child with both his unconscious conflicts and his ego development. Ross does suggest, however, that the therapist should first give the child a chance to explore his fantasies and wishes regarding the question before providing factual information. The latter should be given only if the child continues to repeat the question. He further cautions the therapist to check for the child's own thoughts and information before answering questions regarding sex or religious beliefs. This is necessary so as to avoid bringing the therapist's own views into confusng conflict with those taught by the parents.
Swanson (1970) points out that there are exceptions to the general rule that questions of children, especially those with neurotic disturbances, should be met with an inquiry as to why the child is asking. She feels that both schizoid and brain-injured children need the help of straight-forward factual answers in order to help confirm accurate perceptions of reality. They benefit from always hearing the same truthful answer, no matter how many times they ask.
In considering the significance of a child's questions, one must recall Freud's (1907) classic observation that a