Page 53 - Meeting with Children Book

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thoughts and feelings and offers the possibility of
communicating tangible and conceptual information.
Imagery and symbols such as miniatures and picture
cards offer all age groups with opportunities to
express things that are important and salient to them
without emotional risk and high levels of analysis. For
this reason, it is suggested that practitioners modify
the 2-4 session Meeting With Children Approach to
include at least one expressive activity when meeting
with all youth. This does not exclude the possibility of
talking to youth and asking them about their lives,
rather it is in addition to talking.

Reasons for Adding Expressive Activities
 Youth may express different worries and
concerns, thoughts and feelings than
expected
 Expressive activities allow access into the
unconscious and can bypass pre-determined
scripts and coaching possibilities
 Provides youth with distance from more
uncomfortable family and social issues
 Encourages youth to openly explore various
complex concepts and issues without need for
psychological defense
 Keeps the practitioner away f of directing the
process or searching for a particular outcome