Child-Led Therapy for Children with Complex Trauma

Taking an occupational therapy perspective, this book provides a resource for

practitioners from many disciplines working with children who have experienced

complex trauma. Readers are reminded of the damage which has happened to

these children and the challenges faced by professionals when communicating

with them. Play is one way in, and the overriding message is that children's play

needs to be taken very seriously both for healthy development and as a therapeutic

medium to support children's wellbeing.

Written in accessible language and supported throughout by examples of children's

play and artwork, chapters provide a bedrock of well-explained theory with

links to practice. Topics explored include:

• Recognising and understanding complex trauma

• Using play as a means of communication

• Child-led assessment and play based occupational therapy

• Exploration about what happens in the therapy room

• Occupational therapists as part of the multidisciplinary team

• The necessary support structures for therapists.

An essential text for any therapist working in the field of children's mental health,

this book provides readers with an effective approach in their clinical work with

children and their families, bringing together an understanding of trauma, psychodynamic

theory and play.