Using Therapeutic Tools. Derbyshire Association of Family Therapy Conference 17th of May Tracey Woodcock.

Introductions. Take a few minutes to choose a picture that connects you and your work. Use the picture to introduce yourself to the group. You don’t have to think too hard about it; just something that catches your eye. Say as much or as little as you are comfortable with.

Aims of the Workshop. To inspire the inspired. To put aside some time to think and reflect on your work with children, young people, adults etc. Hopes for a dialogue: an opportunity to share thoughts, ideas & experiences. To have fun trying out a few new ideas.

The theory part…! So why use Therapeutic Tools? Making room for children’s voices with the aim of allowing full participation (Gehart 2007). Gehart talks about children “checking in” & “Checking out” of a conversation when things become too much for them. Children rely less on words & more on touch & feel. Younger children navigate the social world through their actions and by observing the actions of adults; words come later. Creating a context that promotes interaction with out instructing others to “be” (Burnham 1992).

Choosing carefully. Ideas must emerge from a local dialogue, be unique and fit the context and child/young person. The tools discussed here today are “Food for thought”, not a one size fits all. A safe place for the child/young person’s voice to emerge is crucial.

Younger Children. The Collage. Mapping a family event/story. An accident, the death & loss of some one special, leaving home, exclusion from school, etc. Particularly helpful when words are difficult & or family members have found an event difficult to talk about. Also helpful when development is delayed & or have differing learning abilities. The Imaginary X-Ray machine. An X-Ray machine that shows a child’s feelings. This technique can help other family members etc. to see and hear the child’s perspective. Also helpful to promote emotional intelligence.

Older Children. WORD Cards & Symbol Cards: When getting started is difficult. When the child or young person needs words of inspiration. Can be used to explore Identity, relationships, change, abuse, loss etc. Story Cubes: Similar to symbol cards but can be used more light heartedly; leading to more personal stories i.e. The Best, Worst & Funniest thing that happened to you today.

Exercise. Split into groups of two or three to try out some of the techniques/tools. (30 minutes).

Closing Thoughts & Reflections. How was it? Would anybody like to share their experience/story about using the ideas & tools etc. What might you try in your work with children and young people? What will you be taking away with you today?

References Burnham, J. (1992). Approach, Method Technique; Making Distinctions and Creating Connections. Human Systems: The Journal of Systemic Consultation. Vol. 3 Pgs Gehart, D. Creating Space for Children’s Voices: A collaborative and Playful Approach to working with Children. In: Anderson, H. & Gehart, D. (2007). Collaborative Therapy. Relationships and Conversations that make a difference.Routledge.London, UK.