25th Annual Symposium

Pairs is a form of intervention aimed at helping children who are "placed at risk", due to sociocultural and/or biological risk factors, learn to make and maintain friendships. This workshop is designed to provide researchers and practitioners with a focused introduction to the theoretical foundations, practical implementations, and researchable questions of pair therapy (and its prevention application, pair counseling). The focus is on children at two age levels, preschool (2-5) and school age/early adolescent (6-14). The workshop will begin with a brief overview of the history of pair therapy, and the developmental theories that drive the process of selecting children for pairs as well as the actual interventions and goals of the treatment. The core of the workshop will be the discussion of the practice of pairs at the two age levels, considering both the common principles and the developmental differences across the two age periods. We will use case material and videotape presentations to demonstrate the supervision and training of pair therapists as well as evaluation issues. finally, we will discuss the implications and applications of this work for preschool, public school, special populations, residential treatment, violence prevention, and the promotion of cultural identity awareness.

All participants are affiliated with the Risk and Prevention Specialization in the Human Development and Psychology area of the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

1. Introduction and History: Robert L. Selman, Harvard University
2. Part 1: Pairing in the Preschool Years
   1. Background: Theory and Research: Catherine Ayoub, Harvard University
   2. Practice: Pamela Raya, Harvard University
   3. Evaluation and Research Implications: Steven Kane, St. Johns Children's Services, Washington D.C.
3. Part 2: Pairing in the School-age and Early Adolescent Years
   1. Background: Theory and Research: Dennis Barr, Judge Baker Children's Center, Boston
   2. Practice: Caroline Watts, Judge Baker Children's Center, Boston
   3. Evaluation and Research Implications: Lynn H. Schultz, Harvard University
4. Audience participation and discussion period
   1. The perspective of a clinical practitioner: Gregory Wilkins, Devereux Foundation; Brandywine Residential Center
   2. Linking research to practice.