This therapeutic metaphor* book has been written to help child therapists gain an understanding of their clients’ thinking processes and to assist young children to externalise their thoughts, fears and ideas in a safe and contained way.

The story centres around a vase called ‘Valerie’. Each part of Valerie’s story is designed to highlight specific life events that children can come across with parents, siblings, peers and teachers. Asking a child to colour in particular pages will help the child to remain focused on a theme while their therapist asks open ended questions connected to that theme.

Themes include neglect, under-stimulation, dissociation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, transitions, bullying, being assessed, safe people & intrinsic self-worth.

Book information