Rhythms of Relating in Children's Therapies

This multidisciplinary book shows how to foster meaningful relationships between therapists and vulnerable children, through exploring the concept of communicative musicality and creating rhythms of connection.

It includes broad and in-depth contributions from leading therapists from diverse backgrounds - including Peter A. Levine, Daniel Hughes, Stephen Porges, Dennis McCarthy and many more. Contributors reflect on their own experiences, providing insights from the fields of music therapy, trauma, dance and movement therapy, psychobiology, dramatherapy, counselling, play therapy, and education. Contemporary theory is woven in with case stories to highlight the emotional realities of working with highly vulnerable children, and to present proven examples of how therapists can improve the quality of connectedness. Full of original and innovative ideas for working with attachment issues, trauma, communication difficulties, autism, learning disabilities, aggression and anxiety, this is inspiring reading for professionals who work with vulnerable children in creative therapies.

Royalty proceeds from the book will be donated to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), UK.

“This wonderful and utterly unique book is a treasure trove of fascinating and scholarly examples showing how conceptualising time, rhythm, collaboration and play in new ways can help vulnerable children. The authors present accessible, clear and concise chapters that highlight how the rhythms of relating are a fundamental feature of human existence. A "must read" for anybody interested in therapies for children.”

-- Raymond MacDonald, Professor of Music Psychology and Improvisation, University of Edinburgh, Co-Founder of the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra, Co-Editor of The Handbook of Musical Identities
This is an extraordinary book that gives innovative insight, understanding and practical intervention on the importance of rhythm in therapy. Written by diverse and cross cultural therapists, artistes and clinicians, it invites us into the internal world of a child's musicality, rhythmic reciprocity and communication. Simply, it inspires wonder! -- Sue Jennings, Professor of Play, European Dramatherapy Federation, Author of Healthy Attachments and Neuro-Dramatic Play
Each chapter in this international collection brings a unique perspective with depthful insights and rich wisdom. Written in clear, engaging and embodied language by dedicated and passionate educators, therapists and artists, Rhythms of Relating in Children's Therapies will profoundly inspire anyone who works or lives with children. -- Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Founder and educational director of the School for Body-Mind Centering®, Author of Sensing, Feeling and Action
Having no idea what to expect, this book was a surprising delight. Like therapy itself, it is a journey, it is filled with opportunities to reflect and grow. Its very title says it all, as "rhythms" and "relating" are the most core and healing qualities of psychotherapy. The relevant and engaging Rhythms of Relating in Children's Therapies should be in the library of all child therapists. Highly recommended! -- Daniel Sweeney, Professor of Counseling, Director of Northwest Center for Play Therapy Studies, Director of Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at George Fox University [Portland, OR], Co-author of, Group Play Therapy: A Dynamic Approach
This is an important book. It addresses a subject which has long been neglected. It offers the means towards devising more effective ways of dealing with the effect of trauma. Although the book is concerned with the therapeutic significance of rhythm and the notion of "communicative musicality" in children it has major implications for adult therapy. It is an engaging "read" - scholarly, well-written, and even enjoyable. -- Russell Meares, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, Sydney University, Author of The Poet’s Voice in the Making of Mind
Starting with the communicative musicality of mum and baby's loving embodied dance these international innovative contributors from the arts, research and trauma invite us on a journey into the essential and transformative power of the rhythms of human connection. From harnessing dragons to evolving into butterflies be delighted and inspired. -- Suzi Tortora, Author of The Dancing Dialogue: Using the Communicative Power of Movement with Young Children
Contributors from around the world have come together to make this book a huge inspiration on the rare and essential subject of shared life rhythms in children's psychotherapy. A sense of fun radiates from the text and offers the reader both insights and joyful now-moments. -- Susan Hart, Psychologist, Editor of Inclusion, Play and Empathy
This fascinating volume is rich with varied perspectives and descriptions about working with children. The premise of rhythm as the music of communication is presented compellingly in early chapters, grounded in science and a brief history of infant-adult interaction research. Expert illustrations from a wide range of specialists, including creative arts therapists, make this comprehensive collection a valuable and engaging resource for both professionals and the public -- Robyn Flaum Cruz, Professor, Lesley University [Cambridge, MA], Past-President, American Dance Therapy Association, Co-Editor, Dance/Movement Therapists in Action
Rhythm is at the core of all relationships; it is also the basis for effective therapeutic attunement. This valuable contribution articulately explains the importance of rhythm in work with children and generously provides practical and "attuned" strategies for helping professionals to immediately apply in treatment. -- Cathy Malchiodi, Director, Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute, Author of The Art Therapy Sourcebook
I was entranced by the premise of this book - that rhythmic experiences are powerful means of connecting with and relating to others without words - and enthralled by the wide range of therapeutic contexts where such an approach is clearly so potent. -- Dorothy Miell, Professor of Social Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Co-Author of Musical Communication
Trevarthen's generous and inclusive history of communicative musicality provides a powerful segue into this riveting collection. Trust and attunement are prominent threads in these stories, which transcend the notion of an expert who attempts to fix a needy child. Instead they teach us how children can actively participate in their own growth when met with creativity and emotional sensitivity. -- Katrina McFerran, Professor and Head of Music Therapy, The University of Melbourne, Australia, Author of Music, Music Therapy and Adolescents

Colwyn Trevarthen is Emeritus Professor of Child Psychology and Psychobiology at the University of Edinburgh. Dennis McCarthy is a licensed mental health counselor in New York state and is the director of Metamorfos Institute. He is a psychotherapist working with both children and adults and specializing in sandplay and dream work. Initially trained as a dancer, he weaves the body's innate urge to move into all of his work. Penny McFarlane worked as a teacher in primary and secondary education for over fifteen years before obtaining her Diploma in Drama Therapy from Exeter University. She founded a creative arts in therapy project in inner city schools and has subsequently worked as a drama therapist and supervisor on a multi-agency support team. She co-founded a children's bereavement charity and has worked extensively in the field of divorce and separation and its effect on children. She lives in Devon where she is a practising drama therapist in primary and secondary schools.

Exploring the concept of communicative musicality, this multidisciplinary book considers rhythms of connection and ways of fostering meaningful relationships between therapist and child. Including contributions from leading international music therapists, trauma specialists, dance movement therapists, psychobiologists, dramatherapists, explorers in music education, counsellors, play therapists, somatic therapists, specialist theatre and arts-project pioneers, composer therapists, teachers and researchers, this book presents a broad and indepth approach to relating in therapy with vulnerable children. Chapters are written in free-form, bringing the contributors' expertise and experience to the fore. Contemporary theory is woven in with case stories to highlight the emotional realities of working with highly vulnerable children, and to present proven examples of how therapists can improve the quality of connectedness. Full of original and innovative ideas for dealing with attachment issues, trauma, communication difficulties, aggression and anxiety, this is inspiring reading for professionals who work with vulnerable children in creative therapies. Royalty proceeds from the book will be donated to the NSPCC .

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