Windows to Our Children

This is a great book from front to end. Oaklander provides good insight into the workings of a play therapist. I'm definitely not going to let this book out of my collection.

I have a thriving passion for experiential work, and Violet shows how it is applicable to child treatment. Dr. Oaklander has a deep respect for and understanding of children. She knows how to use their imaginations (and her own) to help them both heal and develop internal resources. I have included her ideas in my own therapeutic work with children/teens, and also in training clinicians. This is my favorite child therapy book. Her new book is due out in December 2006.

This is a wonderful book on using many techniques with children. She incorporates guided imagary and art therapy techniques. I work with children and have utilized many ideas with great success. I do wish she would write another book with even more techniques.

Windows to Our Children was written by Violet Oaklander 20 years ago and has become a classic for professionals who work with children, and for parents as well. It is filled with creative approaches to helping kids get in touch with and express their emotions. Dr. Oaklander describes many techniques using play and art therapy, including use of drawings, music, games, puppets, and many other effective avenues to assist children and adolescents in coming to terms with emotional needs, wounds, and challenges. Windows to Our Children is interesting, relevant, and easy to read. It is still used as a required text in many college courses, and should be very helpful to psychotherapists, teachers, parents, and anyone else who spends time with children. Dr. Oaklander is working on a sequel, updating her work with children over the last 20 years.