Child Abuse, Psychotherapy and the Law

Provides a legal framework for professionals working with families in the field of child abuse. The aim of the text is to provide a framework for practitioners untrained in law and in doing so allow a greater understanding of individuals, families and groups, and to help lawyers steer families more effectively and humanely through the legal process. It illustrates the complicated issues arising from the interaction between families, the law and mental health workers. The author describes and analyzes the work of Cassel Hospital, a centre for the treatment of families with severe emotional and psychological problems whose children are at risk or who have been abused. Through case studies, the author illustrates the work of the hospital, including in-depth psychotherapeutic work and rehabilitation with the families, the purpose of which is to avoid the finality of legal proceedings and inevitable breakup of families.