Helping Abused and Traumatized Children Integrating Directive and Nondirective Approaches

"Children who have been traumatized by sexual abuse or other maltreatment may deal with their painful feelings and memories in many different ways. How can a therapist build strong relationships with these vulnerable young clients? What is the best way to target trauma-related symptomatology when a child is unable or unwilling to "talk about it"? This book presents an integrative treatment model that combines play and other expressive therapies with elements of cognitive-behavioral and family therapy. Written with wisdom and empathy by clinician Eliana Gil, the book illustrates how to draw on the strengths of diverse approaches in tailoring therapy to each child's needs." "Attuned to the complexities of real-world clinical practice, this book will enhance the skills of all mental health professionals working with children and families, including child and school psychologists, social workers, play and art therapists, counselors, family therapists, and psychiatrists. It will serve as an invaluable text for graduate students and trainees in these fields."--BOOK JACKET.

Eliana Gil, PhD, is Director of the Starbright Training Institute for Child and Family Play Therapy and dedicates some of her time to providing intensive courses on assessment and treatment of child abuse. She also works at the Multicultural Clinical Center in Springfield, Virginia, where she is developing The Children’s Corner to provide mental health services for young children with a range of problems, including child maltreatment. Dr. Gil has focused her work on helping sexually abused children and their families for the past 33 years in California, Maryland, and Virginia. She teaches courses on child maltreatment, play therapy, and family therapy at Virginia Tech. Dr. Gil is the author of The Healing Power of Play: Working with Abused Children, the coeditor of Cultural Issues in Play Therapy, and the presenter of two video programs, Essentials of Play Therapy with Abused Children and Play Therapy for Severe Psychological Trauma, among other publications. Originally from Ecuador, she is bilingual and bicultural.