With the increasing probability of floods, wars, and human displacement, there will be a great need for health care professionals to help. The arts provide a new, human, and cost-effective way to bring relief and to ease some of the human suffering associated with trauma.The editor, Lois Carey, presents a compelling rationale for the use of the arts therapies to work with trauma. First, it is now clear that traumatized children have difficulty using words to describe their experience. Drawing, play, music and other creative forms allow for an indirect expression that reduces anxiety, and they also help to establish a therapeutic relationship and an area of safety. The same is true for traumatized adults, who are often nonverbal… this book can be a beginning of much-needed documentation of the use of the expressive arts methods for trauma survivors and will provide a significant and useful introduction to the field for health professionals.' – PsycCRITIQUES 'I think the descriptions of the methods are interesting and they show a lot of experience in the field of trauma-treatment. It is a well written, very readable book of the practice.' –Tijdschrift voor Vaktherapie (Journal of Therapy) 'This book throws more light on different expressive and creative arts methods in the treatment of trauma. In detailed case studies and research, the authors offer an overview of creative arts methods aiming at brain functions which are not always being reached by verbal therapy alone.' –Tijdschrift voor Vaktherapie (Journal of Therapy) 'The authors use a rich mix of interesting case material and useful explanation of the techniques for the uninitiated.' – Therapy Today 'A very good job of promoting the use of expressive arts therapy to complement talking therapies and achieve results that talking therapy cannot.' – Play Therapy UK 'If you are a parent, dealing daily with the effects of traumatised children, and especially finding it difficult to firstly access specialist therapy and secondly to understand the principles in relation to your child, then this book will give you a clear understanding of the aims and outcomes of therapies which may be on offer.' – www.adoption-net.co.uk Expressive and Creative Arts Methods for Trauma Survivors demonstrates how play, art, and music therapies, as well as sandplay, psychodrama and storytelling, can be used to aid the recovery of trauma victims. Drawing on detailed case studies and a growing body of evidence of the benefits of non-verbal therapies, the contributors-all leading practitioners in their fields-provide an overview of creative therapies that tap into sensate aspects of the brain not always reached by verbal therapy alone. Methods of exploring traumatic experiences with a view to limiting patients' distress are also explored. The techniques discussed are appropriate for work with children, families and groups and are based on established approaches, including Jungian, Child-centred, Gestalt and Freudian theories. Expressive and Creative Arts Methods for Trauma Survivors will be an enlightening read for expressive and specialized arts therapists and for students and academics in these fields.
Health care professionals who endeavour to work holistically face a number of questions about spirituality. What is meant by `spirituality' as opposed to `religion'? What is its specific relevance to health care practice? This accessible book provides answers to these questions and offers a model for personal and professional development. Gillian White sets out a framework within which health care professionals can discuss spirituality and equip themselves to respond appropriately to the spiritual concerns of their patient in daily practice. She draws on her experience of sharing and discussing spirituality and spiritual care with other health care professionals and proposes that multi-professional health care teams should talk about spirituality in challenging but safe environments to develop shared understanding of it, and to increase their confidence about integrating spiritual care into their daily practise. This text is a useful contribution to the multi-disciplinary, whole-person approach in health care and will be of interest to all health care professionals, nursing staff and students in these fields.
This concise, accessible handbook for families, friends and carers of children with seizures provides all the information they need to approach seizures from a position of strength. Part 1 discusses types and causes of seizures, and what to do during a seizure. The medical concepts and technical terminology as well as the available tests and treatments, including anticonvulsant medication, are clearly explained. The author also addresses some of the emotional and social issues that may arise, and there are chapters for kids and teens to read themselves or with their parents. Part 2 covers some of the most common epilepsy syndromes in more detail. Further reading and useful contacts are also provided. This reassuring, informal, and upbeat book will reinforce and help clarify the discussion with the child's treating medical professional.
At least one in five pregnancies ends in miscarriage, yet pregnancy loss remains a taboo topic and effective aftercare is rarely available for those who have experienced it. Grief Unseen explains the different kinds of childbearing losses, such as failed fertility treatment, ectopic pregnancy, and stillbirth, and explores their emotional impact on women and their partners, and the process of healing. An established art therapist and mental health counselor, Laura Seftel shares her own experiences of miscarriage and recovery, and describes the use of art and ritual as a response to loss in traditional and modern cultures. She presents a rich variety of artists who have explored pregnancy loss in their work, including Frida Kahlo, Judy Chicago, and Tori Amos, and shows how people with no previous artistic experience can generate creative responses as part of the healing process. The book includes step-by-step exercises in guided imagery, poetry, visual art, journaling, and creating rituals. This accessible, positive resource will be useful to practitioners in the fields of medicine, mental health, art therapy, and counseling, as well as women and families who have suffered pregnancy loss.
`Having had a stroke aged 37 years, Andy McCann has written this clear, easily readable account of his experiences, showing insight and the value of his learning along his personal journey…This book would be invaluable for any health professional, including technicians and students, with any level of experience, to increase his or her knowledge and awareness of a patient's perspective, and would act as a useful departmental resource. Stroke survivors and carers would also benefit, particularly when needing to participate in a rehabilitation goal setting programme… this book is educational and motivational, and has an excellent practical section which could be an inspirational read for professionals, patients and carers.' –British Journal of Occupational Therapy `Andy says `I hope that reading this book has proved to be an uplifting, interesting and at times educational experience.' It certainly was for me; I read it in 3 days, and at times could not put it down.' – The Acquirer (Acquired Brain Injury Newsletter) `Andy McCann tells his own story of experiencing a sudden stroke at the age of 37. The book is both a personal story and a practical source of advice and information on the topic of stroke. Issues covered range from managing financial security and understanding medical terminology, to coming to terms with a new sense of vulnerability and dealing with the attitudes of friends and family. The book also offers advice on establishing a healthier and more balanced lifestyle in order to prevent strokes.' – Headway News `It is an inspirational, yet offers practical information for anyone concerned with the stroke recovery journey. Andy's personal story is poignant and informative. He presents an informed understanding of the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of stroke. The book explains clearly the effects of the stroke and prognosis. There is also a toolkit for recovery, prevention and a useful section on financial matters. It is a great read'. – Nursing Standards `McCann, who was formerly a British physical education teacher until he suffered a cerebellar stroke at the age of 37, outlines the symptoms of brain damage as they relate to stroke in his own experience, and explains the anatomy of the brain and it's blood supply. The final section recommends medicines, physical activities, and nutrition for recovery and prevention' – Book News `This is more than a persona guide to recovery after a stroke and more than a book about stroke. It is an extraordinary journey through a part of someone's life by an extraordinary person who not only sees himself as having survived a life changing illness, but someone who has gained from it. This book is a reminder of the fragility of life and all that we take for granted in our everyday lives and defines a way forward for those who find themselves in this, or similar circumstances and for those who want to enhance their knowledge of illness, prevention of illness and recovery…This book should be essential reading for survivors and those close to them, for relevant professionals and for those wanting to extend their knowledge about strokes and other illnesses which impact on an individual's life course'. –Brain Injury Social Work Group (BISWG) * At the age of 37 Andy McCann was physically fit, strong and in good health. Then, mid-way through instructing his weekly martial arts class, he experienced a stroke and was rushed to hospital. Until then, the word `stroke' had meant little to Andy, and in this book he recounts the many difficulties in learning to live with his new situation. Funny, poignant and informative, the book is not just a personal story, but also offers a wealth of advice and information for anyone who wants to know more about strokes. He explores a broad range of issues experienced by stroke survivors, from the very practical considerations of managing financial security and understanding medical approaches and terminology to the more personal challenges of coming to terms with a new sense of vulnerability and dealing with the attitudes of friends and family. The common thread throughout is Andy's insistence that he will not be a `stroke victim' but a `stroke survivor', determined to live with his new set of circumstances in a positive way. This book is a compelling yet practical source of information that will be valued by professionals and patients alike – whether a fellow stroke survivor, a concerned family member or a health or social care professional working with stroke victims.
This international collection examines the opportunities for using music-induced states of altered consciousness to promote physical and mental healing, treat substance dependence, and in spiritual and palliative care. The contributors describe the successful use of altered states and their therapeutic potential, providing examples from different cultures and clinical, therapeutic and spiritual settings. Their observations cover a wide range of music types capable of inducing altered states, including polyrhythmic music, monotonous drumming, Western pop, and Arab musical schemata, complemented by theoretical and clinical approaches to applications in music therapy. This book will be a useful reference for practising music therapists, musicologists, and ethnomusicologists, students and academics in the field.
Therapy is a critical element of work with abused children, offering them the opportunity to explore past experiences in a safe environment with the emotional support of a therapist. Reaching the Vulnerable Child offers a tried-and-tested model of integrated therapy that incorporates play and expressive arts to foster verbal, non-verbal and symbolic communication. The authors describe how emotional, physical and sexual abuse impact on children's development, and discuss attachment, separation, loss, and the effects of trauma on brain functioning. They provide practical guidance on preparing for sessions and creating safe therapeutic environments, and explain the importance of involving carers in the recovery process. Drawing on a wide range of techniques including play, movement, art, drama, music and therapeutic story work, this approach proposes methods for addressing guilt and low self-esteem, establishing trust and dealing with sexualized or aggressive behaviour. This guide to working with abused children and young people will be valued by professionals and therapists from a range of backgrounds, including psychotherapists, play therapists and arts therapists, as well as those responsible for children's services. It is an ideal accompaniment to The Child's Own Story, also in the Delivering Recovery series.
Music is well known to have a significant effect on physiology and is widely used as an effective therapeutic tool in stress and pain management, rehabilitation, and behavior modification, but its effects are not well understood. This book explains what 'music' is, how it is processed by and affects the body, and how it can be applied in a range of physiological and psychological conditions. Rhythm, melody, timbre, harmony, dynamics, and form, and their effects on the body are explored in detail, helping practitioners create effective therapy interventions that complement other treatment systems. Case studies and evidence from research and practice show how music therapy can benefit people with autistic spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, schizophrenia, and sensory difficulties, among other conditions. The Music Effect is an essential resource for music therapists, clinicians, educators and anyone with an interest in holistic therapy.
Cannabis is at the centre of ongoing controversial and often confused debate. Opinions on its potential impact on health are sharply divided: some argue that it poses serious risks to mental health and that adolescent use may lead to psychotic illness in young adulthood, or that it acts as a gateway to hard drugs such as cocaine or opiates. Conversely, others point to alcohol or tobacco being far more harmful yet entirely legal. Cannabis and Young People aims to shed light on the current debates by reviewing all the available evidence on a range of issues relating to the use of cannabis among children and adolescents and summarizing the main conclusions in clear, jargon-free language.Areas covered include: * Patterns of cannabis use * Changes in usage * Young people's views on cannabis * The potential harmful effects, including mental health problems, educational attainment, antisocial behaviour * The family and social factors that can initiate cannabis use * The progression to regular use * The effects of decriminalization This book will be an essential read for anyone needing informed, authoritative information about cannabis and its effects.
Group Analytic Art Therapy, written by an internationally renowned psychotherapist, provides readers with a practical and theoretical framework for using group art therapy in a range of settings. Based on over 20 years' experience of conducting group art therapy, this book is packed with suggestions for group art therapy practice and many explanatory diagrams. The author also explores the dynamics and psychological effects of diverse group situations, based on examples from his own clinical practice, and offers an illuminating insight in to his own theories and practical applications of group art therapy in the context of the developments in the field. Group Analytic Art Therapy is both a comprehensive reference and an inspiring text for practising and trainee art therapists, psychotherapists and group therapists.