All children, at the core of their beings, need to be attached to someone who considers them to be very special and who is committed to providing for their ongoing care.  Children who lose their birth parents, specially those who have experienced the trauma of abuse and neglect, desperately need such a relationship if they are to heal and grow.  Providing psychological treatment to such children is a challenge, a responsibility, and an opportunity for great professional satisfaction and personal joy.  However, if the child in treatment is not experiencing an attachment to a parent, whether because of lack of ability or opportunity, the therapist is greatly limited in her efforts to assist the child in beginning to heal and in wanting to work to become “special” to self and others.