UBC Press Creating Children's Art Games for Emotional Support book Paperback 144 pages

Game playing is a highly effective way of engaging children and has long been acknowledged as an important means of psychological therapy. This book offers an abundance of fun games that help children to confront personal problems and issues in a light-hearted yet meaningful way. These are games with a difference, as they must be constructed before they can be played. The creation aspect involves collaboration and cooperation within a team, and instils an empowering sense of ownership in the creators. By the time the game is ready to be played, children are confident, thoroughly engaged and ready to explore issues in a supportive environment. Each game has been tried and tested by the author, and is proven to really work.This book is an essential tool for therapists, counsellors, social workers, youth workers and teachers supporting children and young people.

Vicky Barber has worked for many years as a lecturer in the creative arts and arts therapies. She currently teaches an art therapy course at City University London, and runs individual art therapy sessions with children and young people who have behavioural problems, in addition to running a successful private practice. In her previous work as an art therapist, she ran groups in the community, in a day care centre, and within her college, working with a wide range of people, from carers and teachers to social workers, artists, and those with mental health problems and learning difficulties. This book was created through her work as an art therapist, and the games have been put to the test with a variety of clients with excellent results. Her website can be visited at www.vickyb.demon.co.uk.