Table 1. Ways to manage therapeutic alliance with children.

Common problems during interviewing	Solutions and ways to tackle communication issues
Lack of private space for interviewing	Children may be sensitive to interacting in public and clinicians should be able to offer them appropriate interview personal space.
Rushing through	Interview should proceed at a gentle pace. If needed, more than one interview may be scheduled.
Being excessively directive	Children and young people do not like to be told what to do. Communication should be such that children feel that everyone is in the same side and fighting the cancer together.
Value judging	It is important not to be judgemental while assessing young people and their families. Clinicians should avoid using labels as ‘a difficult family’ as this may unconsciously affect the quality of the care delivered.
Premature reassurance	Clinicians should avoid reassuring pre-maturely regarding symptom resolution, time of discharge, etc. with young people.
Fostering dependence	Children should be encouraged to think for themselves to help them make decisions about their lives as much as is feasible.