The family sculpt as an educational experience: an exploration of appropriate professional involvement

The paper focuses on the importance of the unconscious interaction between therapist and family as a factor of continuance in treatment. Previous research on continuation in treatment is reviewed, within which mutual expectations and social class factors are highlighted as being significant.
The issue is then reviewed as it effects family therapy and the theme is illustrated through an extended example of a family sculpted by a seminar of social work students. In this, particular attention was given to the interaction between the worker and the family.
It is concluded that the family's pressure on the worker to meet their expectations in reality, may be an important aspect of therapeutic breakdown.