Julia Sorensen is currently studying towards a Doctorate in Psychology, having attained a Master's Degree in Psychology with specialty training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. She is a registered professional counsellor and certified therapist and works as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist in private practice as well as with community based organizations, individuals and families. Julia lives in Canada and may be reached at www.thecbtcoach.com.
Introduction. Preface. How to Use this Workbook. PART I Expressive Exercises - Feelings: Activity 1 - Creating a Safe Place to Be: An introduction to feeling work. Activity 2 - Feeling Puzzle: What are the names of your feelings? Activity 3 - Match the Feeling Game: Recognizing your feelings. Activity 4 - Faces Collage: Learning what emotions are expressed on faces. Activity 5 - Feeling Faces: Draw a face to match the feeling word. Activity 6 - Feeling Words: Building a vocabulary of feeling words. Activity 7 - Finish the Sentence: Choosing a feeling word from the vocabulary list. Activity 8 - What Color Are my Feelings? Find out what color your feelings are. Activity 9 - Feelings Rainbow: Expressing your feelings through colors. PART II Expressive Exercises Continued - Identifying your Everyday Losses: Activity 10 - Saying Good Bye Is Hard to Do: Learning about everyday closures. Activity 11 - Talking About Losses with Pets or Toys: Recognizing, talking, and drawing about pet or toy losses. Activity 12 - Good Memories: Celebrating beautiful memories. Activity 13 - Memory Boxes: A way to honor the good times Activity 14 - New Perspectives: A new way to remember and feel. PART III Approaching the Loss Experience Through Fiction: Activity 15 - Story Time: Lilly Has to Say Good-Bye PART IV Creating Groups - Four Week Group Curriculum. RESOURCES: Appendix A: Cover page to be used if exercises are to be made into a personalized book. Appendix B: Feelings vocabulary list. Appendix C: US, Canadian and international associations and web addresses. Appendix D: Recommended reading list. Appendix E: Handouts. Appendix F: Group screening questionnaire and group evaluation activity.
This book is both sensitively and creatively written for both parents and professionals who are in contact with children ages 4-8 and may be experiencing loss and grief for a number of reasons. The writer integrates a variety of approaches such as emotional literacy and CBT with the power of play, creative arts and storytelling and a wealth of photocopiable resources. It is divided into four sections and each conveys both ideas and information that are both meaningful and creative... I thoroughly recommend this book as a resource for counsellors working with children, it will not go into any ""in depth"" explanation about loss or complex grief but will be a useful companion to aid children as they move through the different stages of grief enabling it to be integrated into their life experience with support and understanding.
