How it Feels to be You: Objects, Play and Child Psychotherapy

Through the stories of individual children, this book will illuminate the process of creative, play-based child psychotherapy. Each chapter focuses on a particular issue that brings a child or a young person to the therapy room, and explores the use and meaning of particular objects and ‘object games’.

Readers will gain a profound understanding through these dynamic stories of therapy channeled through the objects the children choose to bring into play.

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1. Samina: A game of Jenga

Beginnings

Chapter 2. Jake: Toy soldiers in the desert

Children who are hard to reach

Chapter 3. Zara: A life-size soft toy cheetah and a cake made of clay

Supporting children whose parents separate

Chapter 4. Theo: Players and playgrounds

Reluctant talkers

Chapter 5. Hakan: An inflatable globe and the 50 Clip-together Felt Pens

Children who can’t keep still

Chapter 6. Cristina: A bowl of green paint soup

Supporting children who are bereaved

Chapter 7. Polly: Wet sand and emoji cushions

Therapy for children with learning disabilities

Chapter 8. Jordan and Francesca: A full diary and a giant bean bag

Moving on from therapy, moving on from childhood

REFERENCES

INDEX

APPENDICES