February 3, 1992
Children face many challenges on the path from infancy to adulthood, and sometimes these prove to be more than they can cope with. When this happens, a parent may have to make the difficult decision to seek professional help. Collaborating with New York freelancer Aria, Doft, a child psychologist, provides valuable guidelines for parents to use in determining whether a child is feeling unduly harsh growing pains, and when professional intervention is needed. She suggests how to choose the therapist best suited to the needs of a young patient. And she mentions many examples from her own experience to illustrate not only what a child is likely to experience in therapy, but what a parent's role should be. Doft devotes a lot of attention to the contributions of parents to successful therapy: where they should bolster the work being done, and how they can cope with concomitant problems of their own. Finally, she discusses progress, regression and terminating therapy. Recognizing that a child needs emotional help may be a wrenching step to take, but Doft's book will reassure parents who must take it.
February 1, 1992
Doft, a child psychologist with a practice in New York, offers a comprehensive guide for those concerned about a child's emotional growth. The first two chapters deal with the difficult question of whether a child is having normal "growing pains," or is in need of outside help. Doft describes the therapy process for both child and parent, and explains how to evaluate the child's treatment. Both the tone and language of the text are clear and professional. Doft strongly believes that a parent is key to a child's success in therapy and should be part of the treatment team. Many parents faced with the need to find help for their children lack experience with therapy, and Doft inspires confidence and understanding through her explanations and case examples. Highly recommended for parenting collections.-- Kay Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills, Md.
Copyright 1992 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
January 1, 1992
Facing the fact that a child or family needs counseling is a difficult issue for parents, and the problem is compounded by the question of how to select a therapist. In this reassuring guide, Doft and Aria explain how to "distinguish between appropriate upsets and those problems" that will benefit from counseling or psychotherapy. The distinctions between "preventative therapy" (for example, in cases of impending divorce or a serious illness of a family member), short-term counseling (often just one visit), and extended therapy are invaluable. The authors define "play-therapy" and "parent-work"--two significant aspects of modern treatment. They explain how to locate a professional who will work well with both child and parents, and they also delineate the specialized focus of various professionals from psychiatrists to social workers. Insight from parents who have successfully found care for their children provides even more reassurance and information. ((Reviewed Jan. 1, 1992))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1992, American Library Association.)