Creative Interventions with Traumatized Children [Hardcover]

"Malchiodi has put together an invaluable resource that is chock full of highly creative and innovative interventions for traumatized children. The all-star lineup of contributors have written solid, user-friendly chapters on doing effective expressive therapy work with children who have experienced many types of trauma. This is a timely, welcome contribution to the child trauma and psychotherapy literature - a terrific book that will greatly benefit therapists working in the trenches with these challenging children and their families." - Matthew D. Selekman, MSW, Codirector, Partners for Collaborative Solutions, Evanston, Illinois, USA

"This comprehensive resource delivers everything the title promises and more. Grounded in current trauma theory, the book presents creative, evidence-based therapeutic approaches developed specifically for children and adolescents. It also provides a clear understanding of childhood PTSD and its implications for treatment... I highly recommend this book to practitioners and would also use it as a training text for students." - Elizabeth A. Warson, MA, ATR-BC, Graduate Art Therapy Program, Eastern Virginia Medical School, USA

"Malchiodi is a widely read and well-respected art therapist whose work on the treatment of childhood trauma is exemplary. This book addresses the rich array of therapies to which terrified youngsters respond. For the newcomer to the field who wishes to learn how drawings, doll play, music, relaxation, and storytelling may be used after devastating events - or for the old hand at working with kids who wants a good review of what's new - this is just the book." - Lenore C. Terr, MD, author of Magical Moments of Change

"I would recommend this well researched and well informed book to therapists working in schools with children of displaced, disenfranchised survivors of war and disaster and those working with families around the world who are struggling to make sense of their traumatising experiences… This book is packed with suggested activities for therapists to help restore the child’s sense of safety and ability to function creatively and spontaneously, by re building their own internal resources as a coping measure against the many minor traumas we all ‘suffer’ and have to deal with in everyday life." - Kate Rothwell, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Feb, 2009

"This book is important not least for acknowledging the victims of the many catastrophic disasters that have beset the human race over recent times. It attempts to find solutions for tacking the very complex issue of how to work with children and families who have been traumatised by their experiences of conflict...I would recommend this well researched and well-informed book to therapists working in schools with children of displaced, disenfranchised survivors of war and disaster and those working with families around the world who are struggling to make sense of their traumatising experiences... Creative Interventions with Traumatised Children is packed with suggested activities for therapists to help restore the child's sense of safety and ability to function creatively and spontaneously." - Kate Rothwell, BAAT: Newsbriefing, Spring 2009

Rich with case material and artwork samples, this volume demonstrates a range of creative approaches for facilitating children's emotional reparation and recovery from trauma. Contributors include experienced practitioners of play, art, music, movement and drama therapies, bibliotherapy, and integrative therapies, who describe step-by-step strategies for working with individual children, families, and groups. The case-based format makes the book especially practical and user-friendly. Specific types of stressful experiences addressed include parental loss, child abuse, accidents, family violence, bullying, and mass trauma. Broader approaches to promoting resilience and preventing posttraumatic problems in children at risk are also presented.