Using Art, Play, Metaphor, and Symbol with Hard-to-Reach Young Clients: Reach Out To Me

Description

This book demonstrates some of the unique ways in which therapists can help complex and vulnerable clients considered "hard-to-reach", using arts media and play. Using a wealth of case studies, contributors describe their unique therapeutic attempts to reach clients who, for various reasons, seem unreachable. These moving therapeutic journeys are described in a phenomenological, auto-ethnographic way by the therapists themselves, as a series of "snapshot" glimpses into the therapy room. The therapists describe how combinations of art, play, metaphor, and imagination have helped them navigate the complex pathways to reach their clients. Each chapter is fully supported by the contributing therapists' own selection of theoretical ideas and analysis. The book will help therapists consider innovate creative approaches in their work with clients who have been deemed too complex to work with in individual therapy, emphasising the importance of play and arts resources in helping them achieve this. Cover Endorsement Page Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of Figures Editors Contributors Foreword: Snapshot from the Doorstep Introduction: Arrival in the Land of Stories Meeting a Hard-to-Reach Client Chapter 1: A Sausage Dog Called Daisy Introduction What is Symbolism and How are Symbols Used in Therapy with Children? The Therapist’s Role in the Symbolic Process My Client Sarah A Sausage Dog Called Daisy Reflection The Rat and the Toilet Seat The Vandalising of the Tower of Connection Reflection on Sarah’s Therapy Playing with Clay When to Stay in the Metaphor or Come Out of the Metaphor The Metaphor Continuum Conclusion Souter-Anderson – Five Lenses of Theoretical Anchoring for Clay Use in Therapy (with Examples of How This Applies to Sarah’s Therapy) Lens 1 – Making Contact Lens 2 – Play Space of Potential Lens 3 – Clay Play in the Presence of Another Lens 4 – Bridging Space of Potential Lens Lens 5 – Emerging Theme References Chapter 2: My Heart Hurts Introduction Referral and Preparation Your First Mark Reflection Unfathomable Violence Played Out in the Sand Reflection Violent Sandplay Connecting Reflection: Neurobiology of Early Attachment/Trust Established Nursed by a Tale Reflection: Stories in Therapy A Time of Uncertainty Reflection: Transition to Verbal Engagement Epilogue Lily References Chapter 3: The Toad Croakers in the Land of Noise Act I Introduction About Oliver Act 11 Trying to Reach Oliver – Or More Accurately – How Oliver Finds a Way to Reach Me Act III The Land of Noise – Reaching Oliver, Oliver Reaches Me Reflections The Number One Orchestra of the World The Adventures Continue with New Characters I Undertake Further Training What Makes a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder Hard to Reach? Notes References Chapter 4: Florence Nightingale Is Just Outside the Door First Meeting First Session ‘Baby’s Birthday’ 1st Stage ‘Baby’s Birthday’ 2nd Stage Super Supervision Session Florence Nightingale on the Phone All the Friends Brave Bear Ending – Integration Ending – Together Forever References Chapter 5: The Ripple Effect: Supervising Jane Introduction Snapshot 1: Supervision Session before Jane Meets Poppy Snapshot 2: Supervision Session after Jane’s First Meeting with Poppy Reflections on Being a Supervisor Baby Being “Force-Fed” Baby Says “No!” My Experience of Jane’s “Super Supervision” Session Florence Nightingale Is on the Phone A Host of New Characters Enter the Therapy Room and the Supervision Room Brave Bear Session Final Session References Chapter 6: The Boy Trapped in a Puffer Fish Context Snapshot 1: Finding Charlie Reflections on the Work Snapshot 2: Trapped Reflections on the Work Snapshot 3: Letting Go of the Mask Reflections on the Work Snapshot 4: What Happens When You Don’t Belong Reflections on the Work Snapshot 5: Growing Towards the Light Reflections on the Work Final Snapshot References Chapter 7: The Faceless Face: Reaching Shame without Words Background Introducing the Work Session 1 – Meeting Amardi Session 3 – Reaching Session 6 – Duality Session 10 – Breakthrough Session 10 – The Vigilant Crow Session 21 – Shame Becomes Visible Discussion References Chapter 8: The Locust on the Platter Snapshot 1: Revealing and Concealing Context Snapshot 2: Keeping Safe Snapshot 3: The Locust on the Platter Reflections Snapshot 4: The Hero’s Journey Snapshot 5: The Sally Spoon Puppet Story Reflections on the Art Approaches Used in Hattie’s Therapy Painting and Drawing Play Metaphor through Story and Drama When Hattie Returned for Therapy References Chapter 9: The Boy in the Orange Tent References Chapter 10: Lost in Lockdown Introduction Practical Changes Snapshot 1: From the Therapy Room: Mia and Her Mother Reflections Snapshot 2: The Following Session Reflections Snapshot 3: Body Mapping Reflections Snapshot 4: Externalising a Part Reflections Snapshot 5: Finding a “Hard to Reach” Part Reflections Snapshot 6: Mia Reports Back Reflections Snapshot 7: Three Tribes Snapshot 8: Sad Gets Lost Reflections Snapshot 9: The Final Session Reflections Final Thoughts References Chapter 11: Magical Horses: Equine Therapy Introduction Equine Assisted Psychotherapy The Children and Young People Ace (13 Years) Reflections Developing Assertiveness Developing Empathy What Is Equine Assisted Psychotherapy? Kara (14 Years) Reflections Personal Experience The EAGALA Model ( www.eagala.org) Power and Physical Presence Tyro (14 Years) Reflections Prey Animal Hari (15 Years) Billy (11 Years) Reflections Observing the Herd Jess (26 Years) Reflections Herd Animal Reading Non-Verbal Communication and Mirroring Zoe (19 Years) Discussion References Chapter 12: The Silent Voice Snapshot 1: First Meeting Reflections After Snapshot 1 Snapshot 2: Trapped Octopus Reflections After Snapshot 2 Snapshot 3: Samuel’s First Art Creation Reflections After Snapshot 3 Snapshot 4: Breakthrough Moment Reflections After Snapshot 4 Snapshot 5: Climbing Out of the Pit of Despair Reflections After Snapshot 5 Reflections on the Multidisciplinary Meeting References Chapter 13: Why Can’t You Reach Me? Introduction Buddy Penny The Study Frankie Megan Lily The Young People The Hope Can You Reach Me? Reaching Out in a Pandemic Themes Arising from the Interviews Barriers From Within Hitting Rock Bottom Falling Forever Agency and Control One Size Fits All? Responding to Trauma Beyond Words A Unique Relationship Final thoughts References Index