Problems in psychoanalytically oriented treatment are illustrated in this paper. Efforts in working with a mother were directed to maintenance of a superficial transference and circumscription of topics of discussion. When it became apparent that problems relative to her child required attention and threatened to broaden the scope of treatment, she was referred to a caseworker for a single consultation about the boy. The value of this procedure to the treatment program is discussed; its use in appropriate instances is recommended.