ASSESSING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Summary

This paper examines how the process of assessing children and families has changed within child psychotherapy. Rustin describes the shift from a more fragmented assessment model, in which different professionals separately evaluated the child and parents, toward a more integrated approach that considers the child within the context of family relationships.

Rustin emphasizes that assessment should not be limited to collecting information or deciding whether a child is suitable for psychotherapy. Instead, the assessment itself can become a meaningful therapeutic experience. By carefully observing the child, listening to parents, and understanding the emotional relationships within the family, the therapist can develop a deeper understanding of the child’s difficulties and the family’s capacity to respond to them.

A central idea is that assessment requires attention to both the child’s inner world and the family environment. The therapist must also consider their own emotional responses during the assessment, as these may provide useful information about the family’s anxieties and relational patterns. Overall, Rustin presents assessment as a dynamic process that can guide treatment decisions while simultaneously beginning a therapeutic understanding of the child and family