Creative Ways to Help Children Manage Big Feelings

Annotation

Making therapeutic concepts engaging for children, this book full of activities gives clinicians' practical guidance on how to work with children aged 4-12. Using only readily available items, these activities are specifically designed for clinicians to interact with and help children understand their emotions.

Author Biography

Dr Fiona Zandt is a clinical psychologist who currently works at the Royal Children's Hospital and has a successful private practice in Melbourne. She has over 15 years' experience working with children and families with a broad range of psychological difficulties.

Dr Suzanne Barrett is a clinical psychologist who has over 17 years' experience working therapeutically with children and families as well as significant experience in training and supervising psychologists working with children. She previously worked for the Royal Children's Hospital Mental Health Service, and now has a successful private practice in Melbourne.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements. Foreword by Dr Lesley Bretherton. Preface. Part 1 - Therapeutic work with children and families. 1. Therapeutic frameworks and why working with children is different. 2. The importance of assessment. 3. Purposeful and playful therapy. 4. Working with families and schools. 5. Developmental considerations when working with children. 6. Key approaches and helpful ideas. 7. How to use this book. Part 2 - Creative therapeutic activities. Appendix - Our favorite children's books for therapy. Reference list.

Review

At first I thought 'not another manual telling me what to do in my therapy room,' but even a superficial first read showed that this is really intended to give you fresh ideas and approaches that are skilfully thought out and have been put to the test. I would definitely recommend it to be placed on the bookshelf in the therapy room for those days when you need inspiration. -- Jo North, MBACP, psychotherapist for children, adults and families Children and Young People, BACP A wonderful book for both new and experienced practitioners across all disciplines. With a focus on family inclusive practice throughout ... the interventions are both creative and inspiring! An extremely valuable resource for anyone working therapeutically with children. -- Fran Craig, Mental Health Clinician, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service, Melbourne, Australia This is an essential handbook for mental health professionals working collaboratively and respectfully with children and their families. It outlines playful therapeutic approaches to help children identify and communicate difficult feelings and to develop effective coping strategies. -- Dr Deborah Hutchins, Clinical Psychologist, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia The great strength of this book lies in the organization, practical format and respectful presentation, which both newly-qualified and experienced clinicians can adapt to their therapeutic practice with children. -- Associate Professor Lesley Bretherton, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia This text provides an excellent guide which will be useful for inexperienced and experienced therapists alike, based on clinical experience and practical, engaging methods. It promotes a thoughtful orientation to working with children and includes a broad range of creative activities for use with children and families. -- Professor Vicki Anderson, Head of Psychology at the Royal Children's Hospital, with 30+ years of clinical experiences working with children and their families This should be a very helpful handbook for the child mental health field. -- Professor Margot Prior, Honorary Professor in the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne

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