if, however, it appears that reconciliation may be detrimental or hopelessly unrealistic, the patient may need to relinquish fantasies of reunion. In fact, mourning the loss of an idealized family interrelationship may become a major milestone in therapy.8 Family members who resist an exploratory psychotherapy may nevertheless be willing to engage in a psycho-educational format, such as presented in the STEPPS therapy program (see chapter 8).
