8-year-old Lindsay receives weekly psychotherapy at the office of a private psychologist. She was referred by her school because she is very quiet in class and has difficulty making friends. Her mother wants to send her to summer camp, but Lindsay doesn't want to go. The subject comes up in her therapy session. What should be the psychologist's initial primary focus?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rather than take sides on whether Lindsay should or should not go to camp, the psychologist should encourage Lindsay to explore the reasons why she feels as she does. The idea of Lindsay and her mother working out a compromise might not be a bad one later, but first the psychologist needs to address the underlying problem.

8-Year-Old Lindsay Receives Weekly Psychotherapy at the Office of a Private