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The present article seeks to define the conditions that can provide the basis to enrol the notion of mediated visits. The provision implemented within the scope of parent/child encounters and requiring mediation work must be able to rely on three specific functions. The first corresponds to establishing a system to embrace, shield against or reduce the excitation effects generated by the encounter. The second represents the work of metabolisation of data for the encounter into psychic elements through processes of translation and transformation. Finally, the mediated visit must contribute to reworking the negative side that has left scars on the family history. These functions fit in with a principle of continuity without which it would be inappropriate to talk about mediation of visits.