Metaphorical Stories for Child Therapy - by Patricia Pernicano (Hardcover)

About the Book

Metaphorical Stories for Child Therapy: Of Magic and Miracles is a book of creative, memorable metaphorical stories for use in a variety of child treatments, including play therapy, cognitive behavioral interventions, narrative therapy, hypnotherapy, and expressive therapy. Th...

Book Synopsis

Therapeutic metaphor and stories have long been used within modalities such as hypnotherapy, play therapy, narrative therapies, and expressive therapies. Metaphorical interventions reduce client defensiveness. They provide an "aha" that leads to insight and change, as the client's identification with one or more characters in the stories springboards him or her into treatment activity.

Metaphorical Stories for Child Therapy: Of Magic and Miracles is a book for practitioners, including psychologists, social workers, special education or school therapists, counselors, and expressive therapists. The book uses metaphorical stories and interventions to address issues central to child and adolescent treatment. Each story addresses a particular issue or theme, gives examples of how the story may be used, and includes a set of "take-it-home" questions that may be assigned between sessions. These stories become core metaphors to be referred to throughout treatment, and children find them enjoyable and memorable.

There have been a number of books published in recent years on metaphor and therapeutic stories. This volume sets itself apart, in that the stories are richer character-wise and many are more universal in their themes. The book is divided into two sections: Part I focuses on general treatment themes, such as self-esteem, affect-regulation, lowering defenses, and so on. Part II addresses specific DSM-IV diagnoses such as panic disorder, ADHD, OCD, divorce adjustment, fear of the dark, and eating disorders. The depth and versatility of the stories ensure that the practitioner will find him or herself using them over and over again.

Review Quotes

"In this book the reader will find many wonderfully creative stories for helping children and adolescents resolve a wide range of psychological problems. Highly recommended!" --Charles E. Schaefer, PhD, RPT-S, coauthor of Play Therapy for Very Young Children

"Play therapy uses metaphors in all different types of ways to help children with psychological difficulties. Children can identify with the protagonist and help solve the 'problem' as presented in story format. Metaphorical Stories for Child Therapy by Pat Pernicano is a wonderful selection of metaphors that are specifically designed for certain types of children with certain types of disorders, as well as for typical children alike. The collection of light hearted metaphors will guide the play therapist in directions to help children through play as well as storytelling techniques. This book would be a welcome addition to new as well as seasoned play therapists." --Heidi Gerard Kaduson, PhD, coauthor of 101 Favorite Play Therapy Techniques, 101 More Favorite Play Therapy Techniques, and 101 Favorite Play Therapy Techn

"Narratives are the fertile soil in which children grow their emotional identities. Want to know the story of effective change? Study the creative, generative fables within Dr Pernicano's innovative book, and implant them with personal care." --Jeffrey K. Zeig, director, The Milton H. Erickson Foundation, Phd, The Milton H. Erickson Foundation

In this book the reader will find many wonderfully creative stories for helping children and adolescents resolve a wide range of psychological problems. Highly recommended!

Narratives are the fertile soil in which children grow their emotional identities. Want to know the story of effective change? Study the creative, generative fables within Dr Pernicano's innovative book, and implant them with personal care.

Play therapy uses metaphors in all different types of ways to help children with psychological difficulties. Children can identify with the protagonist and help solve the 'problem' as presented in story format. Metaphorical Stories for Child Therapy by Pat Pernicano is a wonderful selection of metaphors that are specifically designed for certain types of children with certain types of disorders, as well as for typical children alike. The collection of light hearted metaphors will guide the play therapist in directions to help children through play as well as storytelling techniques. This book would be a welcome addition to new as well as seasoned play therapists.

About the Author

Pat Pernicano, PsyD, is director of clinical services at Providence Self Sufficiency Ministries, where she provides programmatic direction and clinical supervision for the Family Preservation Program and Providence House for Children Group Homes. Dr. Pernicano is also a clinical faculty member at Spalding University and teaches part time in the PsyD program.