Unwrapping the box: dancing with the clients.

The authors describe the case of a girl suffering from anorexia nervosa who was regarded as a great challenge by her family therapist in Hong Kong. The metaphor of unwrapping a box was adopted to describe the therapeutic strategy of helping the girl express her inner feelings, and of helping the parents listen to their daughter describe her pain and suffering in the presence of the therapist. Health care professionals have to lead the dance, creating a space where their clients can share their secrets with their family and their therapist.