Playful Approaches to Serious Problems: Narrative Therapy with Children and their Families

by David Epston, Jennifer Freeman, Dean Lobovits

Overview

The "grown-up talk" of therapy is likely to turn off children - especially if it focuses on their problematic behavior. The highly effective techniques of narrative therapy include children by respecting their unique language, stories, and views of the world.

This book describes a basic theory of collaborative narrative play, as well as verbal and nonverbal techniques that clear the way for stories of hope, possibility, and change. Compelling case examples, drawn from the authors' work, will appeal to parents and educators as well as therapists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780393702293
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	05/17/1997
Series:	Norton Professional Books (Hardcover)
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	342
Sales rank:	783,959
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.60(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

David Epston, M.A., C.Q.S.W. is coauthor of Narrative Means to Therapeutic Ends (1990) and Playful Approaches to Serious Problems (1997). He is a visiting professor at the School of Community Studies, UNITEC Institute of Technology in Auckland, and is the codirector of the Family Therapy Centre in Auckland.

Editorial Reviews

The authors describe their success with narrative therapy, a lighter, playful approach to the serious problems encountered in child and family therapy. They provide case vignettes in the first two sections which show how children who might have been labeled belligerent, hyperactive, anxious, or out of touch with reality are found to be capable of taming their tempers, controlling frustration, and using their imaginations to the fullest. They address the helpful role of family members, as well. The third section of the text offers five extended case stories. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews