Overview

The idea for this book came into my mind as I was writing the final chapters of my second book, Making Meaning: Clay Therapy with Children and Adolescents. For, as I was reminiscing on the clinical cases I have been privileged to work with I realised how often my work had taken me into the essential realm of parent and child pairings; family work and group work. And, as there is still so little written about working with clay in therapy, let alone clay therapy with families and various groupings, it seemed timely to begin sharing my clinical experiences in this specialist field. When reflecting on clinical work with families and groups I never cease to be amazed at how quickly much goodwill and cooperation develops between the participants. Simply put, it is my belief that most human beings want to be wanted, liked and accepted. I use the word simply, though knowing how difficult this is to achieve at times. Why should this be though? Again, simply put, we all seek to have our needs sometimes met through necessity, and sometimes met through desires and yet these needs and desires cannot possibly be the same as one of our family members or classmates, neither peers nor colleagues. How wonderful it is though when our needs and desires are similar - where mutuality is afforded with respect. Writing this book began in earnest when I was visiting Buenos Aires. I came across a monument - El Obelisco, at the centre of this magnificent city. The Obelisk was erected centrally where cross cultural aspects are in abundance in the vibrant city that was born from a hybrid of immigrants from Spain and Italy who were searching for a better life in another continent. Walking around this hugely cosmopolitan city I heard many languages spoken, and found myself wrapped up in one of my favourite pastimes; that of 'people watching'. I saw young couples entwined, I saw mothers with crying children, I saw fathers hurrying along with their young sons, I saw workers, business people, tourists and travellers, but what I really saw were people who are someone's daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother or great grandmother, son, brother, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Always - well, nearly always, as human beings we veer towards others, we absolutely need to belong somewhere. Fundamentally, because we need others for survival and safety; our reptilian brains propel us to seek others. In Darwinian terms to survive we need safety, warmth and food usually by being with others and we also need shelter from fear and the elements. In Europe, in Africa, in Asia and many other parts of the world, the same is still taking place as refugees flee from their countries that are in conflict. This seems to have been the way of human beings over the millennia and across the globe - people on the move trying to escape being marginalised, living in fear and or violence, in search of safety and shelter and looking for a different way of life; a better existence. Storytellers and poets the world over have written about family life; the need to belong, the need to be accepted and the place to feel safe where there is shelter from outside worries and woes. There are times though when this is not the case within families. Instead, strife and fear are more the norm and the shelter we come to call home is not safe. But, we have such an overarching drive to find safety and shelter this becomes an incredibly motivating factor in how lives are lived.

Full Product Details

9781906289478

Table of Contents

Reviews

This book is a 'MUST READ' for all play therapists and professionals trained to work therapeutically with children. Monika Jephcott - Chief Executive Play Therapy UK (PTUK) This book is enormously valuable for anyone who wants to understand the very real benefits of clay in helping children unlock, express and manage difficult feelings and anxieties. Overall, it builds into an excellent 'hands on' manual - after reading it, I went out and bought more clay! Amanda Langford - Founder, Blue Smile, an arts-based therapy service in Cambridgeshire, UK The understanding of the nature of families that is offered is movingly enhanced by the voices of children and a foundation for understanding groups is provided. This text is an excellent extension of, and contribution to, the literature on clay therapy which naturally includes Lynne's two previous books. Dr. Carol Holliday - UKCP Registered Integrative Arts Therapist, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge Written with clarity, directness, knowledge and passion for the subject. Numerous examples of client work drawn from her own practice; the inclusion of exercises and resources for readers wishing to make use of clay in their own practice; the fascinating examples of the use of clay in a wide range of contexts and settings, all illustrate the power of this intervention for clients presenting with diverse issues. The chapters on training and clinical supervision make a welcome addition to the impressive growth in clinical practice which Lynne has inspired in the course of her own journey. Professor Simon du Plock - Head of Faculty, Post-Qualification and Professional Doctorates, Metanoia Institute, London The book allows the reader to be drawn into the experience of the client as they make meaning through their conscious and unconscious processes. Each chapter is rich in detail which gives the reader an opportunity to understand how clay can transform everyday experiences. A range of theory and theoretical frameworks are drawn upon which gives credibility to the individual chapters and the book as a whole. It is packed with practical ideas. Karen O'Neill - Clinical Director, Counselling Solutions, Colchester, Essex, UK

Author Information

Lynne Souter-Anderson BEd, MEd, DPsychProf, is a Fellow of the National Counselling Society; a BACP Senior Accredited Therapist; Accredited Senior Supervisor with PTUK and Registered Sandplay Therapist/Consultant with the AST.As founder of the Clay Therapy Community, in 2012 she established a pioneering clay therapy training programme in the UK. Lynne'sprivate practice is in Cambridgeshire, UK where she offers psychotherapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families, clinical supervision and consultancy work. Her expertise in the field of clay therapy, the creative arts and sandplay therapy is acknowledged through invitations to present training and conference workshops across the globe. Lynne is author of Touching Clay, Touching What? The Use of Clay in Therapy (2010) and Making Meaning: Clay Therapy with Children and Adolescents (2015) and Seeking Shelter, Seeking Safety: Clay Therapy with Families and Groups (2019)

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