Symbols of the Soul: Therapy and Guidance Through Fairy Tales

by Marianne Runberg, Birgitte Brun, Murray Cox (Foreword by), Ernst W Pedersen

Overview

Fairy tales are part of our culture and history. They have been with many of us since we were children. During the last 20 years there has been an increasing interest in psychoanalytically-orientated interpretation of fairy tales, opening them up as a medium for therapy.

The authors show that fairy tales can be used in therapy and guidance in a number of ways and on many different levels. They found that using such stories in their daily work proved beneficial for staff-members and patients alike, generating a response of interest, attention and sensitivity, underlining their point that fairy tales have an impact on, and importance for, everyone.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780857009456
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	03/01/1993
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Birgitte Brun is Chief Psychologist, Marianne Runberg is a clinical psychologist and Ernst W. Pedersen is a hospital chaplain at Sct. Hans Hospital in Roskilde, Denmark.

Table of Contents

1. Foreword by Murray Cox. 2. Introduction (Birgitte Brun). 3. The Applications of Fairy Tales in Psychotherapy. What does it mean to apply fairy tales in therapy? What do you wish to achieve? Who can use fairy tales? Which fairy tales can be used? Different kinds of techniques. The therapist's qualifications (Birgitte Brun). 4. Personality Development through Fairy Tales: Work with Children (Marianne Runberg). 5. Fairy Tale Conversations with Psychiatric Patients in Hospital and Members of Staff (Ernst W Pedersen). 6. Pinocchio and a Schizophrenic Man (Marianne Runberg and Birgitte Brun). 7. Peter Pan: The Eternally Flying Child. A Psychodynamic Interpretation of Peter Pan, Peter Pan and His Author J.M. Barrie and Peter Pan in the Psychotherapeutic Process (Birgitte Brun). 8. Symbols in Fairy Tales (Birgitte Brun and Ernst W Pedersen).Glossary. Index.

Editorial Reviews

‘This is a wide-ranging, eclectic look at the profundity of fairy tales and their ability to draw clients into a secure space in which they can explore their own feelings and preoccupations through the story form. The authors draw on their clinical experiences and describe a number of case studies throughout the text.'

Contemporary Psychology

‘There are a number of valuabe aspects to this book...the introductory chapters and the discussion of therapy with emotionally deprived children are clear and worth reading.'

British Journal of Psychiatry

‘the book...has many of the best qualities of fairy tales. Its descriptive style is lucid and simple. It contains many pointers and signposts which provoke the readers curiosity. There is transparency and verbal economy... Because it links the ‘once upon a time' world with greater access to that of everyday, [the book] is highly recommended.'

from the Foreword

‘...much to please the followers of Bettelheim and his classic text in this area...people interested in myth, narrative and archetypes will find much to enjoy...a useful collection for anyone interested in using story in therapy.'

British Journal of Psychotherapy