Recently, I was listening to the Wise Counsel podcast (available on iTunes or through mentalhelp.net), hosted by Dr. David Van Nuys. The May 15th episode includes an interview with Steven Richfield, PsyD, on the Parent Coach method of working with children, especially those who carry a diagnosis of ADHD and/or Asperger’s. What caught my attention most about the Parent Coach program is the inclusion of 20 pictorial/verbal cards that educate both child and parent on issues of socialization, emotional regulation and self-esteem, etc… And then, the potential art therapy application at the end of the interview:
David: Are you continuing to generate new cards? Is this evolving? Will there be a second deck or an enlarged deck?
Steven Richfield: I have countless other cards. What I haven’t done is I haven’t taken the next step, which is to publish them as I did the first 20 cards, but what I have is maybe another 100 that I’ve written with children since then.
David: Oh, wow.
Steven Richfield: And I find that having the first 20, if it’s in your office as a psychologist, gives your child patients the inspiration to develop their own and take ownership that way.
David: Oh, that’s fascinating. I like that idea.
Steven Richfield: I think it’s actually more valuable for the child when they see their own artwork.