Much of the literature about children and death has emphasized the importance of preparation; these consultations arose out of requests from the family practitioners because the parents were seeking specialist advice in helping their children cope with the imminent death of their mother. Two examples are given where a single session explored, with the parents, the children's understanding of what was happening and of death, and the parents were helped to discuss their concerns and dilemmas, and express their wishes and feelings. The framework of systemic consultation was used alongside a psycho-educational model, drawing on, and sharing the findings of relevant research. Guidelines for such work are elicited from the examples.
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, & Bruggen, P. (1985). Family therapy when one member is on the death bed. Journal of Family Therapy, 7, 379-385.
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, & Kemme, M.L. (1964). Bereavement in childhood. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 5, 37-49.
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Black, D.
(1974). What happens to bereaved children?Therapeutic Education, 2, 15-20.
4.
Black, D.
(1978). The bereaved child. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 19, 287-292.
5.
Black, D.
, & Urbanowicz, M.A. (1987). Family intervention with bereaved children. Association for Child Psychology and Psychiatry Review & Newsletter, 28, 467-476.
6.
Campbell, D.
(1985). The consultation interview. In D. Campbell, & R. Draper (Eds.), Applications of systemic family therapy: the Milan approach. London: Grune & Stratton.
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(1994). Childhood bereavement: consequences and therapeutic approaches. Association for Child Psychology and Psychiatry Review & Newsletter, 16(4), 173-182.
8.
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(1982, November). Emotional pain in dying patients and their families. Nursing Times.
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11.
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, & Fulton, R. (1971). Childhood bereavement and behaviour disorders: A critical review. Omega, 2, 107-117.
12.
Palazzoli Selvini, M.
, Boscolo, L., Cecchin, G., & Prata, G. (1980). Hypothesising - circularity - neutrality: three guidelines for the conductor of the session. Family Process, 19, 3-12.
13.
Penn, P.
(1985). Feed-forward: future questions, future maps. Family Process, 24, 299-310.
14.
Pettle, S.
, & Britten, C.M. (1995). Talking with children about death and dying. Child: Care, Health and Development, 21(6), 395-404.
15.
Smith, S.
, & Pennells, M. (1993). Bereaved children and adolescents. In K. Dwivedi (Ed.), Groupwork with children and adolescents. A handbook (Chapter 14). London: Jessica Kingsley.
16.
Solomon, M.A.
, & Hersch, L.B. (1979). Death in the family. Implications for family development. Journal of Family & Marital Therapy, 5, 43-49.
17.
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, & Parker, K.C.H. (1987). The development of the concept of death in childhood. A review of the literature. Merrill Palmer Quarterly, 33, 133-157.
18.
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(First published as a special issue of Changes: An International Journal of Psychology and Psychotherapy, December 1990.)
