Hidden Treasure

This classic edition of Violet Oaklander's groundbreaking book presents her pioneering approach to engaging with children who enter therapy. A new introduction by Peter Mortola reflects on the ways that Hidden Treasure continues to inform therapeutic practice all over the world. Most of the literature available on working with children is written from a traditional `play therapy' point of view; the Gestalt therapy-based approach detailed here provides a more effective method for psychotherapeutic work with children of all ages. With a focus on the relationship between the therapist and the client, Violet Oaklander shows a wide variety of creative, expressive, and projective techniques in her work, and each chapter reflects and exemplifies the use of this work in the service of therapy. This dynamic approach is applicable to a wide variety of ages as well as individual, family, and group settings. This book will interest child and adolescent psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers, counsellors, school personnel, and parents, as well as graduate students.

Violet Oaklander, Ph.D., was the author of the books Windows to Our Children: A Gestalt Therapy Approach to Children and Adolescents (now in 17 languages), and Hidden Treasure: A Map to the Child's Inner Self (now in 9 languages), as well as several journal articles, book chapters, and audio and video recordings on psychotherapeutic work with children. She earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, a Master of Arts in Marriage, Family and Child Counselling, a Master of Science in Special Education with emotionally disturbed children and was a certified Gestalt Therapist.

Introduction to Hidden Treasure, Classic Edition (Peter Mortola) 1. Introduction 2. What brings children into therapy: a developmental perspective 3. The therapeutic process with children and adolescents 4. Enhancing the sense of self of children and adolescents 5. The many faces of anger 6. Working with adolescents 7. Loss and grief 8. Helping children and adolescents become self-nurturing 9. Working with very young children 10. Working with groups 11. Treating children with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactive disorder 12. An innovative way to use music in therapy