The Countertransference Experiences of Pregnant Counselors Working With Sex Offenders

Using a phenomenological approach, the authors explored the lived experiences of female counselors who were pregnant during the course of providing clinical services to sex offenders. Themes included awareness of countertransference, emotional distress, safety concerns, and clinical objectivity.     

龙虎山天师府举办庚寅年祝禧祈福禳灾太平清醮

<正>今年(庚寅年),我国和世界上的许多地方发生了严重的自然灾害。为了弘扬中国道教济世利人、关爱众生、扶危济困的一贯宗旨,龙虎山嗣汉天师府决定举办大型醮仪,祷告普天神灵,广施无上法力,消灾祛厄,普济苍生,祈求人寿年丰,世界安宁。     

Play Therapy – respecting the spirit of the child

Play Therapy is an appropriate form of counselling for children; it is based in a therapeutic relationship where communication is developmentally appropriate and easily expressed. Using a variety of methods from non-directional to co-operative play, the therapist acts to affirm, articulate and co-regulate emotional expressions and joins the child in finding meaning, and understanding of the environment. Play Therapy is presented in this paper as an expression of spiritual connection. The relationship of mutual respect and positive expectation between therapist and child allows new understanding to emerge. The interaction between these two areas of knowledge, Play Therapy and children’s spirituality is examined through case study notes and experience of Play Therapy as an early intervention response to children at a time of community disaster. The author is a Clinical Play Therapist as well as a lecturer in children’s spirituality, so this work emphasises the importance of the spiritual nature of the child and the use of a spiritual connection with the therapist for children recovering from psychological distress.     

Prayer is a positive activity for children—a report on recent research

This article reports on Australian research investigating the meaning and function of prayer for children. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 60 primary school participants selected from six different schools in Melbourne, reflecting some of the diverse philosophical and religious traditions found in the Australian society. The three sources of data were analysed qualitatively using the method of Grounded Theory. Considerable agreement was observed through the data. In the multicultural Australian community, prayer for these children has been shown as a valued aspect of life. All participants indicated that they prayed and all contributed ideas about prayer. All participants perceived prayer to function as an aid in life and it was used at significant moments in life. The words or thoughts in prayer helped to clarify and articulate deep feelings. This research presents recommendations for professionals engaged in religious education, child welfare and the nurture of children’s spirituality.     

When Work, Family And Friendship Collide

Mandi’s sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and was referred to our Familial Cancer Program. The young age of diagnosis, characteristics of the cancer and family history suggested genetic testing and Helen was the genetic counselor involved throughout the testing process. In relaying this personal and professional story we have tried to describe the issues we faced and how we negotiated some of the difficulties when the boundaries between our many roles of family member, friends, colleagues and professionals became blurred.