This study aimed to investigate how children represent their therapy under psychological care in basic health institution. For this purpose, a qualitative study was carried out, using the draw and tell a story procedures. Eight children between five and twelve years old participated in this study. Children were asked to perform three drawing-stories. The data analysis was performed using content analysis. The results show that children have a representation of psychotherapy as a place to play and to talk about themselves. The emphasis given by children to the ludic resources and conversations points out to the importance of these therapeutic tools since they help children to approach and work on their conflicts. Moreover, the treatment was experienced by children as a place where changes happen in order to achieve therapeutic gains and improvements. The final considerations highlight the possibility of having services of quality in public health institutions, since the data do not point out to a distinction between public and private psychological care..
Child psychotherapy; public health; psychoanalytic psychotherapy
