Creative Ways To Help Children Manage Big Feelings: A Therapist’s Guide To Working With Preschool And Primary Children

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. Dr Fiona Zandt and Dr Suzanne Barrett are clinical psychologists who each have over 15 years’ experience working therapeutically with children and families. They are based in Melbourne, Australia. Dr Fiona Zandt and Dr Suzanne Barrett Jessica Kingsley Publishers Creative Ways to Help Children Manage BIG Feelings “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 and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Melbourne, Australia  Foreword by Associate Professor Lesley Bretherton Creative Ways to Help Children Manage BIG Feelings A Therapist’s Guide to Working with Preschool and Primary Children www.jkp.com Cover design: Adam Renvoize Dr Fiona Zandt and Dr Suzanne Barrett JKP “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, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia “An excellent guide…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.” —Professor Vicki Anderson, Head of Psychology, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia “This should be a very helpful handbook for the child mental health field.” —Professor Margot Prior, Honorary Professor, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia “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