by Eliana Gil
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Product Description
Children traumatized by either abuse or neglect have special therapeutic needs. They can be difficult to engage for a variety of reasons: many have been frightened into silence and many have had their trust in adults betrayed; they may be hostile and acting out; and, if young, they may lack the sophistication of language or sexual terminology to clearly impart what has occurred. Whether or not children know how to communicate directly with a therapist, all children know how to play. This book describes how therapists can both facilitate constructive play therapy and intervene in posttraumatic play to help children who have been traumatized by abuse or neglect achieve a positive resolution.
The book combines theory with a practical "how-to" approach for treating abused children. Traditional techniques of play therapy are reviewed for their application to this population. Special emphasis is given to posttraumatic play in two ways. First, because rigid posttraumatic play can be dangerous--it does not help to release anxiety and tends to fixate the child on the trauma and subsequent difficult emotions--the book demonstrates how to intervene when this type of play occurs. Second, the book explains how to facilitate flexible and dynamic posttraumatic play when it does not surface spontaneously in treatment. This sort of play can be very constructive in helping the child to assimilate the traumatic experience. Throughout, numerous therapeutic aids are described to enhance the child's capacity to communicate verbally or symbolically.
To help clinicians translate theory into daily practice, the book presents six detailed clinical vignettes of trauma stemming from different types of abuse or neglect. The cases included involve severe parental neglect, chronic and episodic sexual abuse, and neglect compounded by hospitalization. Presenting step-by-step guidelines for assessment and intervention, these cases clearly illustrate treatment planning and how to tailor responses to particular children, including children with multiple personality disorder. They demonstrate how to use directive and nondirective play therapy techniques as treatment progresses.
With its valuable insights and practical guidance, THE HEALING POWER OF PLAY is an essential resource for all mental health professionals who work with abused children. Those who work with adult survivors will learn much of value for treating the "child within." The book also serves as a text for advanced courses on child therapy, child development, family therapy, domestic violence, or child abuse. Other professionals who come into contact with abused children such as protective service workers, medical professionals, clergy, teachers, and day-care professionals will find much of interest.
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Average Customer Review:
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
A must read if working with children, 2006-03-19
This is a must read if you are working with children. The author is one whom I consider the best in the field. It clearly defines all the basic principles of working with abused children and helps the new practitioner become familiar with the appropriate jargon in the field of play therapy. This is the "bible" of child therapy in my opinion and is priceless.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
List of Reasons this is a good book:, 2005-05-31
I love this book and this author. I recommend looking at her other books!
Gil writes about many different types of child abuse. Her book is easily accessible because Gil separates her chapters into very understandable sub-headings. This makes it very easy to go back and search for a certain part. She also makes good use of bullets for simple lists and graphics of characteristics a child may show.
Gil implements a variety of case studies into the text (there's also a section dedicated simply to case studies) to show her point. She also cites many other physiatrist works to back up her points.
Gil does not just write about "the affects of child abuse," and how "traumatic child abuse is to children." She also gives an abundance of suggestions of what to do during therapy. She also includes her own outlines of "Therapeutic Goal" for each of her Case Studies at the end of the book.
I highly recommend "The Healing Power of Play."
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
child of abuse, 2004-03-05
I am a victim of sexual abuse. I have read books like NIGHTMARES ECHO,BEAUTY FOR ASHES and COURAGE TO HEAL to find help in my adult life to get over what happened to me as a child. Abuse doesn't just go away and the demons do haunt. When I found out about this book, I bought it as soon as I could.
I am very pleased there is a book like this available for the children now...rather than later down the road when the impact of abuse has taken its hold on them.
I do recommend that all Parents,Teachers etc. buy this book as well as the other two I had mentioned. Though NIGHTMARES ECHO and BEAUTY FOR ASHES are more adult oriented, I think that the parent,teacher,spuse etc can learn from these books and then help the child to over come the abuse with THE HEALING POWER OF PLAY.
I think this book was written well, and written for the regular reader to understand with out all of the large words that can confuse.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
A classic, 2001-04-14
This is a must-have modern classic for the library of anyone working professionally with abused children. I would also recommend this book for the insight it provides to anyone adopting a child who may have gone through trauma or abuse. Clearly written, backed up with thorough research and guided by sensitive clinical skills, Eliana Gil's work is a primer on helping children work through trauma using their main mode of expression, play. If I could recommend only one book for training young professsionals embarking on the challenging and rewarding journey of helping kids who have been abused, this would be it.
46 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
Eliana Gil has a wonderful amount of insight to children, 1997-06-29
This book is a treasure for the beginning play therapist, as well as the experienced clinician working with issues of abuse. A work sprinkled with fascinating case examples and intriguing stories, this book is truly a must have for therapists
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