[Experiences of and with parents in psychoanalytic treatment of their children]

The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the experiences and emotions of parents during the psychotherapeutic treatment of their child and to the significance of the parents' impressions for the working alliance with the therapist and for the treatment course. The special aspects of the setting in child therapy as opposed to the setting in adult psychotherapy are discussed. Freud's case study "Analysis of a Phobia in a Five-Year-Old Child" serves to illustrate different viewpoints on the subject. Finally, the nature and establishment of the working alliance with the parents is discussed. Special attention is given to the necessity to help parents pursue an active role identity during the psychotherapeutic treatment of their child.