I Saw It Happen

Full Title: I Saw It Happen: A Child's Workbook About Witnessing Violence
Author / Editor: Wendy Deaton
Publisher: Hunter House, 2002

 

Review © Metapsychology Vol. 7, No. 47
Reviewer: Diana Pederson

This book is intended for use by a
psychologist helping a child that has witnessed a traumatic, violet event.  It
contains assorted activities ranging from coloring pictures to answering simple
questions about the event.  A guide for psychotherapists accompanies the book
with directions on how to use the exercises.  This guide indicates the purpose
and expected result of each exercise.

Recommendation: It appears
that this book would be useful by several professionals besides a
psychotherapist.  A social worker in an agency working with foster children
would find it beneficial for assessing how the child is coping with the events
that put them in foster care and perhaps, let them know if other assistance is
needed to help the child.  School counselors and social workers could use this
when dealing with children who have witnessed traumatic events at school. 
Perhaps it could even be adapted for helping a classroom when a schoolmate dies
during the school year.

Parents may find it useful after
their child witness’s violence on the street or at school.  This book could let
the parent know if the child is having trouble dealing with the event and therefore,
may be in the need of professional assistance.

 

© 2003 Diana
Pederson

 

Diana Pederson lives in Lansing, Michigan.

Categories: Children, SelfHelp