''If You Turned into a Monster'': Transformation Through Play: A Body-Centered Approach to Play Therapy

"Draw me a picture of what you would look like if you turned into a monster." Dennis McCarthy's work with distressed or traumatized children begins with an exercise that is simple but very effective: he invites the child to communicate with him in their own way, through the non-verbal language of play. Using case studies from his clinical experience and with numerous children's monster drawings, McCarthy lets the meaningful self-expression of the child take centre stage. He demonstrates that being allowed to play, move and draw impulsively and creatively in the supportive presence of the therapist is in fact the beginning of the therapeutic process. These activities are shown to be more therapeutic for the child in practical terms than the interpretation of the clues it provides about the child's state of mind. This very accessible book will be inspiring reading for play therapists and other professionals working therapeutically with young children and their families. I recommend this book not only to therapists who work with children but especially to parents and teachers... [T]his book pushes past the complexities of psychological theory and jargon... [I]t is rare to find a therapist who has the sensitivity and skill to create...a safe and sacred psychological space...in which children feel free to allow their monsters into the room... Dennis McCarthy clearly has this gift... - from the foreword by Richmond K. Greene, Jungian analyst and former director of the C.G. Jung Institute in New York City. With a great deal of love, compassion, and wisdom Dennis M. "If you turned into a monster" Symbols and symbolic play From symbol to energy Energy The power of no Falling and leaping Interlude with monsters Form and formlessness Harnessing chaos: helping children with neurological disorders Becoming the storm: using the energy of symptoms Finding the treasure Closing scenes The dragon Mothers and fathers Epilogue: in the footsteps of Pan. Using case studies from his clinical experience and with numerous children's monster drawings, McCarthy lets the meaningful self-expression of the child take centre stage. He demonstrates that being allowed to play, move and draw impulsively and creatively in the supportive presence of the therapist is just the beginning of the therapeutic process. Dennis McCarthy's work with distressed or traumatized children begins with an exercise that is simple but effective: he invites the child to communicate with him in their own way, through the non-verbal language of play. This book is useful for play therapists and other professionals working therapeutically with young children and their families