Abstract

Help children to stay on top of "big" feelings like anger, sadness and anxiety with this ingeniously easy-to-use therapy toolkit. Focusing on making therapy for children both purposeful and playful, the book provides 47 activities to transform your sessions using everyday materials and a variety of tried-and-tested therapy models.

The authors deliver sage advice on how to work with children, adapting your approach for different age groups and judging how and when to involve parents and teachers. The handy reference table allows you to quickly fish out the perfect activity for the moment, according to the emotion the child is experiencing, or the therapeutic method needed. With its winning mix of creative resources and clinical expertise, all wrapped up in a simple and practical format, this is the ideal companion for both new and experienced therapists working with children aged 4-12.

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
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 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
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 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
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