Uploaded: December 2013, Issue 24
 

Viou Maria

Counselor

Kotrotsou Olga

Psychologist, Msc

Abstract

In this article, a review is made of the bibliography of the secrets and how they are treated from a systemic point of view. Secrets are an internal part of every family and the stories they tell about themselves. They form boundaries and shape relationships calibrating closeness and distance in a way that affects and defines the family system. The effect of a secret also permeates future generations as it influences the myths and values of a family. In the current study, we will refer to family secrets related to death. An interesting example is a well-known autobiographical story of the Greek writer G. Vizyinos’ that refers to the death of a young child. Other examples of death through suicide or stigmatizing disease are presented from bibliography together with the therapeutic interventions. We support the idea that each secret should be dealt with as a unique case, depending on the particular circumstances and needs of families and their members.