Therapeutic approaches in work with traumatized children and young people: theory and practice

THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES IN WORK WITH TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN
AND YOUNG PEOPLE: THEORY AND PRACTICE

Patrick Tomlinson, Jessica Kingsley

ISBN 1843101874, £16.95

Star Rating: 3/5

At times of financial constraints for therapeutic residential
facilities for traumatised young people, this is a refreshing “back
to basics” approach, writes Panos Vostanis. Such children have
complex emotional, behavioural and social needs.

The text draws on the author’s experience and wealth of material
from staff discussions.

The therapeutic framework (which is predominantly Winnicott’s
object relations model) is applied to this client group and
integrated into all aspects of their care (comprising everyday
routines, education, play and interaction with peers and
adults).

A meaning and understanding of a vulnerable child’s inner world
is thus attached to a range of care activities and behavioural
strategies.

The additional material on child-adult, staff dynamics,
supervision and management, will be of great interest to a wide
range of residential staff, social workers, foster carers,
therapists and educationalists caring for or working with
emotionally needy children and young people.

Panos Vostanis is professor of child and adolescent
psychiatry, University of Leicester.