Throughout the treatment, the therapist demonstrated sensitivity to the effect the boy's developmental status had on the emergence of a transference reaction. During the working-through stage, the therapist provided the empathic presence of a new, supportive object; facilitated an environment in which the boy could reenact conflict situations; and encouraged his use of representation and fantasy to conceptualize the problems he encountered day-to- day. During the initial treatment period, the therapist fostered a therapeutic alliance and initiated the working- through of conflict. Beginning in the fifth month of treatment, the therapist began to chart changes in the boy's behavior. Progress during the working-through phase was evident when the boy began to reconcile positive and negative emotions. A dramatic decline in aggressive and self- destructive behaviors was noted by the boy's caregivers. 27 references