Customer Reviews

Windows to Our Children: A Gestalt Therapy Approach to Children and Adolescents

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

I was a school teacher for 9 years, and have been conducting therapy for several years as of the date that I'm updating this review, as well as working in psychiatric research.

I was told that I must have this book if I wanted to work with children, and I agree. Dr. Oaklander brings you into the world of the child as no one else does. [...]

When I ordered "Windows," I failed to receive my copy from the publisher, and was advised by Amazon to contact him directly. When I wrote the publisher, Mr. Wysong responded with a startling and unprovoked attack on my character, stating that he was going to contact the postmaster general about me, that I should never be allowed "any position of responsibility with children," and "clearly have some sort of personality disorder." I have never experienced anything like it since outside of my own clients, and I will never recommend or purchase anything published by him again. I note that Ms. Oaklander chose another publisher for her next book, which I'm certain is wonderful. It's a shame that his behavior may cost her royalties. I hope she can find a legal way around that.

[...]

I have always been interested in the Gestalt therapy approach and decided to purchase this book based on the author experience and online reviews. I am very satisfied with the book, it is pleasant to read and a good source of practical examples and literature references. I would recommend it.

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.

Great if your looking for someone's opinion on art to build rapport and get to know a child during therapy. No data given to prove its effectiveness but tons of examples of using it effectively.

It certainly helps one understand much better how to work with children and provide techniques. However, I think it is because I used this with my Child Therapy class in graduate school so I can utilize this book to its fullest potential. If you're just reading it, it might be hard to practice some of the techniques because it might be as obvious. It's not the best written piece but the author is definitely knowledgeable.

The order for this book was fulfilled very quickly...Delivery arrived shortly after ordering, in what appeared to be new condition.