Engaging Boys in Treatment ─ Creative Approaches to Formulating, Initiating, and Sustaining the Therapy Process

Traditional therapy can often be an off-putting experience for boys as it is in direct opposition to the ways they generally interact and connect with others. This book explores a variety of creative approaches that professionals can use to enhance the clinical experience and better reach their young male clients. Chapters discuss the theory behind and implementation of various creative approaches to therapy with boys, such as play therapy, including sports, movement, and gross-motor activity; animal-assisted therapy; the use of video games and computers; the use of superheroes in role play, metaphor, and play therapy; and art therapy. Attention is also given to methods for working with several subgroups of boys that require specialized treatment approaches, including gender variant and sexual minority boys and boys with ADHD. The first book of its kind, mental health professionals will find this a comprehensive and highly valuable text to help them understand, help, and support boys and their development.

Craig Haen, MA, RDT, CGP, LCAT is Assistant Clinical Director for Andrus Children’s Center, in Yonkers, NY, and has a private practice working with children, adolescents, adults and families in White Plains. He serves as Adjunct Faculty at Manhattanville College where he oversees the Concentration in Drama Therapy and is co-chair of the American Group Psychotherapy Association’s Child and Adolescent Special Interest Group.

Part I: Laying the Ground. Haen, Boys and Therapy: The Need for Creative Reformulation. Crenshaw, Barker, Depathologizing Masculine Strivings in Individual Psychotherapy with Boys. Malekoff, Principles and Practice for Strengths-based Group Work with Boys. Part II: Creative Approaches. Harvey, Physical Play with Boys of All Ages. Fine, Incorporating Animal-assisted Interventions in Therapy with Boys at Risk. Austin, Engaging At-risk Adolescent Boys Using Computers as a Therapeutic Medium. Haen, The Therapeutic Use of the Superhero in the Treatment of Boys. Cruz, Breaking Through with Art: Creative Art Therapy Approaches for Working with At-risk Boys. Part III: Special Populations. Currie, Doing Anger Differently: Working Creatively with Angry and Aggressive Boys. Grönlund, Renck, Body-based Treatment Approaches for Young Boys Diagnosed with ADHD. Creeden, Bergman, Attunement is an Experiential Verb: Treating Issues of Attachment and Self-regulation in Young Males with Sexual Behavior Difficulties. Caldwell, Mincy, Klempin, Rafferty, De Loney, Strengthening Bonds Between Non-resident African American Fathers and Sons as a Way to Reduce or Prevent Youth Risky Behaviors. Moore, Beauregard, Creative Approaches to Working with Gender Variant and Sexual Minority Boys.