Routledge Therapy with Children: An Existential Perspective (The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy Series)

This book explores the existential themes and challenges present in all therapeutic relationships when working with children. Existential ideas and concepts are a rapidly growing influence on the practice of psychotherapy and yet their application to work with children remains largely unexplored. This book begins to redress this imbalance in a practical and engaging way by presenting an existential perspective on some key themes in practicing psychotherapy with children, including: play, anxiety, guilt, choice, family relationships, language and process. Each chapter is punctuated with engaging vignettes of case material, blending theoretical insight with the realities of practice. Through these narratives readers are challenged to question their own assumptions and beliefs whether they are new to existential psychotherapy or already immersed in its rich philosophical traditions. Children are born into the world without choice and are drawn towards making connections with others, developing self-awareness and personal identity. Review "Illustrated throughout with vibrant case examples, this philosophically-rich text opens up an important dialogue about the application of existential ideas to therapeutic work with children. Useful reading, not just for existential therapists, but for practitioners of all orientations who put understanding, relating and a deep respect for their young clients before objectification and diagnosis."--Professor Mick Cooper, author of Essential Research Findings in Counselling and Psychotherapy: The Facts are Friendly and Professor of Counselling "In his book, Chris Scalzo not only manages to make difficult existential thought and ideas accessible and understandable, but by grounding them in thoughtful and sometimes moving examples, clearly demonstrates their relevance to clinical practice. In this way he has made an important contribution to existential therapeutic thought and has written a book that is of value to anyone - professional or otherwise - who truly cares about understanding and relating to children."--Paul McGinley, Chair of the Society for Existential Analysis, Senior Lecturer About the Author Chris Scalzo