1st Edition

Who Calls the Tune? A Psychodramatic Approach to Child Therapy

By Bernadette Hoey Copyright 1997

    Psychodrama has its genesis in the play of children. In Who Calls the Tune? Bernadette Hoey explains how its powerful technique can be safely used in working with the child who has been badly traumatized. In her deceptively simple narrative of ten case studies the voices of children can be clearly heard as therapist and child enter together the world of play that can be unpredictable, funny and moving - an apparently spontaneous form of healing. It is through detailed commentary on each session that the reader is enabled to identify techniques derived from Moreno's original theories which lie hidden in the shared play. Providing practical examples of work with children suffering from a range of problems including language disorder, depression and abuse, the author sets her work firmly in the context of theoretical analysis and good practice. Her book wil be an inspiration to all those who are looking for new ways to help the healing process in troubled children.

    Introduction: The Pied Piper, Part I Background 1 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 2 SPONTANEITY—THE LINCHPIN OF PSYCHODRAMA 3 THE WAY IN 4 METAPHOR, ARCHETYPE AND STORY—THE HIDDEN LANGUAGE Part II The Children’s Stories 5 ANDREA 6 MICHAEL 7 MEG 8 JESSICA 9 MARK 10 JODY 11 JASON 12 MARY KATE 13 JAMIE 14 AMANDA Part III Connections 15 WORKING WITH RESISTANCE 16 PSYCHODRAMA AND CHILD THERAPY 17 BEYOND THE BARRIERS

    Biography

    Bernadette Hoey is a therapist, trainer and consultant working in private practice.

    'This beautifully written book will appeal to parents and professionas alike. It not only speaks to the head and the heart but to the soul as well.' - Children Australia

    'This is a lovely book full of surprises, and at times deeply touching ... [it] presents a most articulate description of how psychodrama may best be integrated in to a multimodal approach to child psychotherapy ... I recommend the book for play therapists and psychodramatists who work with children.' - The International Journal of Action Methods