CREATIVE INTERVENTIONS WITH TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN
Cathy Malchiodi (Ed)
Guilford Press 2008
ISBN 978-1593856151
This is a great new publication – all kinds of trauma are dealt with, and each highlights the theory, background and activities that will contribute to helping a young person recover a sense of life and efficacy. Cathy herself writes the on the basics of intervening, and also some of the chapters.
Play, art, music and drama form the main interventions – but the various chapters seem to work beyond the named ideas and take a holistic view of what is needed, presenting the writer’s own relevant theoretical comments and rationale. And this is why I recommend the book as a worthwhile buy. No preciousness or dogmatism – just what will work.
The book divides into “individual” and “group” material, but on first reading, I could see that many of the ideas and interventions would be useful with both if adjusted. When I first bought the book, I immediately went for domestic violence, bullying and drama therapy – you don’t need to read in a particular order – and was not disappointed. But the other chapters have now proved equally relevant to much of my work in all kinds of little ways. You may well find this book worth looking at, given the current level of trauma in our children’s lives.
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TEACHING THE UNTEACHABLE
Marie Delaney
Worth Publishing 2009
ISBN 978-1903269121
Another really useful book from a publisher who seems to be at the forefront of therapeutic understandings of what goes on in schools and within pupils who find schooling difficult to manage. The subtitle of this book says it all: “Practical ideas to give teachers hope and help when behaviour management strategies fail.” So, not necessarily for therapists, but great for those who do work in schools and can move to support teachers with this book. Delaney runs through normal behaviour management strategies (with a hint of NLP thrown in) before moving on to how you might think about a pupil when those strategies are not enough. There’s a very strong chapter on unconscious defence mechanisms and the many case studies are a backbone of the book. Well worth a look, with its strong emphasis on thinking about pupils and how to make it a whole-school strategy.
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SMASHER
Margot Sunderland
Hinton House 2008
ISBN 978-1906531102
I have been waiting in frustration for this book, which has finally been published much later than originally advertised. I am delighted to tell you it’s everything it was meant to be in terms of usefulness with young adolescents who are angry and acting out. The protagonist, Simon Asher (“Smasher”) is 14 years old, and will therefore appeal to clients who are slightly younger – children usually prefer the hero to be older than themselves.
The story is on the left of each spread, the “speech bubble” version on the right, and it tells of a guy called Gor who takes Simon on a fantasy ride and shows him his options. The ending is left open, which was slightly unsatisfying but clearly not possible any other way since we don’t know which decision a youngster will make or how the world will end up.
The only real criticism I have is that, blazoned across the top of the cover, is an endorsement from the wonderful Camila Batmanghelidjh, saying: “The book all professionals working with adolescents have been waiting for … streetwise and soulful.” Nothing wrong with the quote but when kids pick up a book in session, they don’t really want to know it’s been written for them for therapeutic purposes. It just has to be there. This apart, I can’t fault the book.
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CHILDREN’S ANXIETIES
A contextual approach
Peter Appleton (Ed)
Routledge 2008
ISBN 978-0415459440
This book is fabulous. The main content has been arranged such that you can pick a case study according to the kind of scenario, and read about the child’s anxiety in the situation and then about the intervention made, with discussion and back-up research integrated. The nine case studies, covering areas such as fostered kids, accidental trauma, aggression, refugee status, learning difficulties, mistreatment, panic etc, are preceded by the theory section and the book wrapped up with a conclusion. There is something in it for most of us to learn – some of it unconnected with anxiety, in fact. Thoroughly recommended.
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ANXIETY
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with Children and Young People
Paul Stallard
Routledge 2009
ISBN 978-0415372558
This book deals with anxiety in good detail – all aspects are covered – but it presents the CBT method in such a clear way, with so many examples of process, that it makes for a very good primer on the model. Various kinds of anxiety are discussed with regard to the relevant evidence base for CBT treatment. The main thrust of the book then focuses on dealing with the anxiety issues from assessment to outcome. Summaries of the information are given in greyed boxes throughout and there are worksheets at the back. The layout of the book is exceptionally clear and the many examples lead the reader by the hand. It is not simplified, merely accessible. I like this book very much.
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OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with Children and Young People
Polly Waite, Tim Williams (Eds)
Routledge 2009
ISBN 978-0415403894
Another excellent book in the new Routledge CBT series. Covers introductions to both OCD and CBT separately, and then deals with assessment and treatment with young children, adolescents and families respectively. The clear layout of the preceding volume is maintained (see Anxiety, above) and, likewise, the appendices and worksheets are available to download from the Routledge site (see here). Anybody at all could learn CBT from these volumes, and enjoy it!
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LET’S TALK: USING PERSONAL CONSTRUCT PSYCHOLOGY TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Simon Burnham
Paul Chapman 2008
ISBN 978-1412920896
This book includes a CD to help when interviewing or assessing a child. Those new to Personal Construct Psychology will find the book itself a great starter to the theory, and it focuses on children and young people. I’m not aware of many other books, besides the Butler and Green one, that do this – which is why I am recommending it here. The nine real case studies show what use PCP can be – it is easy to substitute our own clients into the ideas as we read.
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PLAY AS THERAPY: ASSESSMENT AND THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS
Karen Stagnitti, Rodney Cooper Eds
Jessica Kingsley 2009
ISBN978-1843106371
This is not a guide to doing play therapy but a background text discussing the theory behind play therapy and how the child’s ability to play might be assessed in order for the clinician to provide suitable ways to help. No single approach is recommended and the practical aspects cover different settings, all with a basis in research. This is not an easy “case study” read (though there are quite a few vignettes) but rather the thinking person’s text about play and appropriate interventions. The thinking behind assessment is invaluable. I have found this text really helpful.
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CREATIVE COPING SKILLS FOR CHILDREN
Emotional support through art and craft activities
Bonnie Thomas
Jessica Kingsley 2009
ISBN 978-1843109211
Many of these photocopiable resource sheets are very different to the usual variety on offer. They are aimed at both professionals (including therapists) and parents – an interesting dual target. I’m not a fan of worksheets, preferring to make up anything as we go, but these are good, so I am recommending them. Things like a Pirate’s Survival Guide story, Power Animals, and the inclusion of mandalas and lots of ways of externalising wishes, feelings and worries, and strategies for taking care of oneself – an interesting collection of new ideas. A final section is devoted to grieving children. The book encompasses both cognitive and more imaginative and creative ideas.
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POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
Cognitive Therapy with Children and Young People
Patrick Smith, Sean Perrin, William Yule, David Clark (Eds)
Routledge 2009
ISBN 978-0415391641
Again, another addition to the new Routledge CBT series – but note this is cognitive therapy not cognitive behaviour therapy. Got my hands on this just as I was about to start work with a young accident victim with PTSD, and was debating between EMDR and CT (and all the extra strategies needed to engage a young person anyway!). Whatever your model, this book provides a thorough revision of all the information about PTSD that needs to be taken into account with both the client and carers. You would find yourself reading it through the lens of your own model and knowing you had not missed anything important. In its own right, of course, as a CT book, it is excellent. The whole series more than repays the investment in many and diverse ways. Totally recommended whatever your usual way of working. Perhaps even more so than the others in the series – if you buy only one, make it this.
