by NancyBoydWebb (Author)
From the editor of the widely acclaimed Play Therapy with Children in Crisis, this new volume explores a related and still neglected area - childhood bereavement. Drawing on the clinical experiences of mental health professionals who work with bereaved children, this handbook presents not only the theoretical principles that guide interventions, but also detailed descriptions of the helping process. The book brings to life a variety of counseling techniques and therapeutic interventions for helping children who have suffered a loss. Full-length clinical examples illustrate an array of treatment strategies for working with children at various developmental stages and with different kinds of bereavement. Solidly grounded in developmental psychology, the book presents a range of intervention approaches from counseling to therapy. A unique, two-column format provides the reader with not only the content of the sessions, but also the practitioner's accompanying thoughts and rationale for intervention. Part I presents a theoretical framework that offers insight into the child's view of death, and guidance for assessment and treatment. A number of reproducible forms are provided for recording significant information about the child's background, the situation surrounding the death, and the child's potential support systems - family, community, and religious. Part II Focuses on children's reactions to the death of family members. A wide range of situations are examined, From the anticipated, timely death of a grandparent to the traumatic murder-suicide of both parents. A variety of treatment modalities are presented, including family therapy, individual play therapy, and group bereavementcounseling. The third part covers deaths that affect communities of children, such as the death of a neighborhood friend, classmate, or teacher. Because children's ages and personal histories affect their responses to death, the book demonstrates the need for multilevel interventions
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 304
Edition: illustrated edition
Publisher: Guilford Publications
Published: 24 Sep 1993
ISBN 10: 0898621305
ISBN 13: 9780898621303
This is an eminently practical book filled with sound theory, illustrative cases, and well thought out, clinically based approaches to helping children cope with loss. It deserves a place on the bookshelf of any practitioner who assists bereaved children. --Kenneth J. Doka, Ph.D., College of New Rochelle, President 93-94, Association for Death Education and Counseling
The impact of death on children and how to assist in the healing process is one of the least understood concepts in the field of mental health. Helping Bereaved Children: A Handbook for Practitioners is a vitally needed text that will fill a large gap in the training of those who will encounter grieving children in their work including therapists, child care workers, teachers, pastors, school counselors, and youth workers. We cannot afford to poorly handle or inadequately address the needs of the many children impacted annually by a significant loss. I highly recommend that this book be in the library of every professional who works with children. --Donna L. Schuurman, Ed.D., Executive Director, The Dougy Center for Grieving Children
This book will provide an excellent resource for those working with bereaved children. The detailed case discussions are especially valuable for the therapist in training. --J. William Worden, Ph.D., Co-Director, Child Bereavement Study, Massachusetts General Hospital
Dr. Nancy Boyd Webb has compiled a timely, extremely useful book for social work students, teachers and practitioners in virtually any setting....a well researched, well organized book that flows so easily that one forgets that the book was not written by her exclusively.... One of the book's unique features is the number of reproducible forms, with the publisher's permission, for recording significant data about the child's background, the events surrounding the death and the child's potential support systems. These forms are excellent teaching tools and welcome additions to clinical practice.... The wealth of material contained in this book will enable many students and clinicians who must serve bereaved children now, without the benefit of formal training to confront this enormous challenge with greater sensitivity and insight. This book is likely to become a popular reference text for most health and mental health professional who work with children and families. --Susan Bendor, D.S.W. Associate Professor, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University