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The intent expressed in the first two sentences of the introduction of this book are of great importance: treating children with dignity and respect, and engaging parents in the therapeutic process. Both should be self-evident to anyone treating children and are at the core of good social work practice. One of the most significant factors in the therapist's relationship with the child is taking the child seriously. When this is actively practiced, it is the basis on which therapeutic interventions can be effective. The involvement of parents as co-therapists is central to social work practice with children today. Beyond the need to recognize the reality of the parent's role throughout the child's life, the limitations on time for therapy necessitate additional work on using parents as an extension of the therapeutic developing process. Attention to this is essential and Lovinger acknowledges this.
The book seems to be based on an old child guidance clinic model in which neurotic children in intact families are brought for treatment with no constraints on the amount of time available for treatment. Unfortunately, the reality of most psychotherapy practice today is quite different. Since the time that model was developed, there have been many advances in our understanding of children and their problems, along with effective ways to treat them. Those findings are not reflected in this volume.
I have a general concern about the content and organization of the book. It attempts to do several things. One is to serve as a “how-to”