Features of the Therapeutic Relationship in Positive Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
摘要
Interpersonal interaction lies at the core of Positive Psychotherapy (PPT after Peseschkian). This chapter examines the specific features of therapeutic relationships in child psychotherapy. PPT adopts a humanistic and dynamic perspective, viewing children not as passive recipients but as actively forming personalities shaped by family, cultural, and societal interactions. Contrasting reductionist approaches, which focus on correcting behavioral deficits, PPT emphasizes the importance of creating a developmental environment that respects the child’s individuality and potential. Three core principles guide PPT in child psychotherapy: Therapists in PPT strive to support parents in perceiving their child as an evolving individual and themselves as dynamic participants in the child’s development. Addressing transference and countertransference dynamics—both in relationships with children and their families—is critical. This collaborative, developmental approach positions therapy as a natural and evolving process rather than a strictly corrective intervention.