[The family approach to a case of a battered child]

In the case of a battered child, the authors propose that the treatment be made on a family basis in order to secure a therapeutic alliance with the parents. Symptomatic treatment, based on legal and medical measures, does not allow this type of therapeutic approach. The use of a day center for the child and the parents, and a multidisciplinarian team work (pediatrician, child psychiatrist, social worker) facilitate this alliance and diminish negative counter attitudes.