Community Therapy Connections for Detached Kids Below is a brief summary of several community therapy approaches for detached kids.  Some children may require more intervention and assistance than those outlined in Why is Johnny so Detached and that can be provided in the classroom.  It is important to remember that when community therapy is implemented for detached kids, that there be clear and open lines of communication between all professionals and caregivers working with the child. Theraplay  Theraplay is a wonderful approach for addressing development issues in children.  It focusses on addressing issues through relationships between parents and children, and it uses activities to address therapeutic issues and work towards goals.  More information about Theraply should be obtained from The Theraplay Institute in Chicago, Illinois, at www.theraplay.org.   The Theraplay website offers background information on the approach, parent and professional information, conference and training information, and a directory of providers with training or full certification in Theraplay.   Additional reading: Theraplay:  Helping Parents and Children Build Better Relationships Through Attachment-Based Play, Ann M. Jernberg (Author), Phyllis B. Booth. Theraplay:  Innovations in Attachment-Enhancing Play Therapy,  Evangeline Munns (Editor). Play with Them:  Theraplay Groups in the Classroom:  A Technique for Professionals who Work with Children, Phyllis B. Rubin. EMDR  EMDR is a newer treatment to address traumatic memories, which is becoming more popular in the mental health field.  It stands for "eye movement desensitization and reprocessing."  It is recognized in the field simply at "EMDR."  In a nutshell, the patient is asked to concentrate on the worst part of the upsetting memory, while moving the eyes back and forth by following the therapist's finger.  In actuality, the therapy is far more complicated than this description, which is why specialized EMDR training is required.  EMDR may be suggested by a therapist that you are already working with and trust, in order to help address unresolved trauma and loss issues.  In the event this occurs, ask your therapist for a referral.  Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches began initially with adults.  The most researched ares of CBT have been in the areas of anxiety and depression.  With CBT, the client's thinking is the target of evaluation, and intervention is geared toward making gradual and measurable progress toward specific goals (e.g.:  increase the ability to handle fear of the dark).  Parents usually play a very important role in helping their child learn and practice coping skills in CBT.  CBT approaches are also very popular for anger control skill building, stress and anxiety management, and working with Obessive Compulsive Disorder. Art Therapy Art therapy is a term that have been used to describe widely varying practices in education, rehabilitation and psychotherapy.  Essentially, Art Therapy is the therapeutic use of artmaking to promote healing and growth in a professional relationship.  For more information, see ArtTherapy.org Play Therapy There are many schools of theory and approach to Play Therapy, which is a separate and distinct tool from Theraplay.  Common aspects of Play Therapy include:  children's play being symbolic for their inner feelings and experience and play being a natural vehicle to communicate feelings and resolve painful issues.  Therapists vary in how much they direct the play and topics of interaction, and to what extent parents are involved.  Play activities are used by many therapists as a means of establishing a good working relationship, trust, and an understanding of a child's world view.

Community Therapy Connections for Detached Kids Below is a brief summary of several community therapy approaches for detached kids.  Some children may require more intervention and assistance than those outlined in Why is Johnny so Detached and that can be provided in the classroom.  It is important to remember that when community therapy is implemented for detached kids, that there be clear and open lines of communication between all professionals and caregivers working with the child. Theraplay  Theraplay is a wonderful approach for addressing development issues in children.  It focusses on addressing issues through relationships between parents and children, and it uses activities to address therapeutic issues and work towards goals.  More information about Theraply should be obtained from The Theraplay Institute in Chicago, Illinois, at www.theraplay.org.   The Theraplay website offers background information on the approach, parent and professional information, conference and training information, and a directory of providers with training or full certification in Theraplay.   Additional reading: Theraplay:  Helping Parents and Children Build Better Relationships Through Attachment-Based Play, Ann M. Jernberg (Author), Phyllis B. Booth. Theraplay:  Innovations in Attachment-Enhancing Play Therapy,  Evangeline Munns (Editor). Play with Them:  Theraplay Groups in the Classroom:  A Technique for Professionals who Work with Children, Phyllis B. Rubin. EMDR  EMDR is a newer treatment to address traumatic memories, which is becoming more popular in the mental health field.  It stands for "eye movement desensitization and reprocessing."  It is recognized in the field simply at "EMDR."  In a nutshell, the patient is asked to concentrate on the worst part of the upsetting memory, while moving the eyes back and forth by following the therapist's finger.  In actuality, the therapy is far more complicated than this description, which is why specialized EMDR training is required.  EMDR may be suggested by a therapist that you are already working with and trust, in order to help address unresolved trauma and loss issues.  In the event this occurs, ask your therapist for a referral.  Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches began initially with adults.  The most researched ares of CBT have been in the areas of anxiety and depression.  With CBT, the client's thinking is the target of evaluation, and intervention is geared toward making gradual and measurable progress toward specific goals (e.g.:  increase the ability to handle fear of the dark).  Parents usually play a very important role in helping their child learn and practice coping skills in CBT.  CBT approaches are also very popular for anger control skill building, stress and anxiety management, and working with Obessive Compulsive Disorder. Art Therapy Art therapy is a term that have been used to describe widely varying practices in education, rehabilitation and psychotherapy.  Essentially, Art Therapy is the therapeutic use of artmaking to promote healing and growth in a professional relationship.  For more information, see ArtTherapy.org Play Therapy There are many schools of theory and approach to Play Therapy, which is a separate and distinct tool from Theraplay.  Common aspects of Play Therapy include:  children's play being symbolic for their inner feelings and experience and play being a natural vehicle to communicate feelings and resolve painful issues.  Therapists vary in how much they direct the play and topics of interaction, and to what extent parents are involved.  Play activities are used by many therapists as a means of establishing a good working relationship, trust, and an understanding of a child's world view.