This is an audio recording of a paper that was originally published in Dulwich Centre Review, a precursor to this journal, in 1985. In this paper, childhood fears are considered within the interactional context of the family. It is argued that the survival and growth of such fears is dependent upon the presence of a “fears life-support system”. The details of this life-support system can be derived by an examination of the family members’ inadvertent participation with a fears lifestyle. Interventions to disrupt this participation are discussed. These interventions include the introduction of a non-threatening interactional description of the problem and a structured ritual to challenge the fears lifestyle. A case example is given.
Key words: children; fear; externalising; narrative family therapy; narrative practice
Original paper: White, M. (1985). Fear busting and monster taming: An approach to the fears of young children. Dulwich Centre Review, (1), 29–34.
This recording: White, M. (2025). Fear busting and monster taming: An approach to the fears of young children (H. Kennedy, Narr.) [Audio recording]. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (1). https://doi.org/10.4320/GPQZ2492 (Original work published 1985)
