{"product_id":"armfuls-of-time-the-psychological-experience-of-the-child","title":"Armfuls of Time: The Psychological Experience of the Child","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Armfuls of Time, Barbara M. Sourkes offers a humane, clinically informed portrait of children confronting life-threatening illness; the book is written for clinicians, child psychiatrists, therapists and students who need direct insight into the child's inner world. The single biggest reason to read it is the author's use of children's own words and play-based techniques to illuminate how diagnosis and treatment reshape a child psychologically, making it a rare and practical resource rather than a purely theoretical text.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFirsthand voices:\u003c\/strong\u003e Extensive use of the words of children gives clinicians direct examples of how young patients communicate fear, loss and resilience in their own language.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTherapeutic techniques:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sourkes describes practical methods such as drawings, soft toys and dolls that help children express feelings when verbal explanation is limited.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIntegration of objects:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book shows how real medical objects can be used therapeutically to demystify treatment and reduce anxiety.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamily focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clear discussion of the child's relationship with family helps professionals consider systemic factors in care and communication.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterpretive guidance:\u003c\/strong\u003e The author offers astute interpretations of children's material, providing clinicians ways to translate play into clinical insight.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePractical advice:\u003c\/strong\u003e Concise, actionable recommendations help therapists plan interventions suitable for different developmental levels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArmfuls of Time is best suited to child mental health professionals, pediatric nurses, social workers and clinical trainees who work with seriously ill children and need concrete, clinical examples and techniques. The emphasis on play, drawings and real objects makes it particularly valuable for practitioners who use expressive or play-based therapy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParents seeking a light self-help guide or readers wanting an exhaustive medical textbook should look elsewhere; the book focuses on psychological experience and therapeutic approach rather than detailed medical protocols or broad epidemiology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ePowerful use of children's own words provides authentic clinical material for reflection and teaching.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDetailed, practical techniques such as toys and drawings can be implemented with minimal equipment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDiscussion of family relationships broadens clinical perspective beyond the child alone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eNot a substitute for medical guidance; it emphasizes psychological care rather than clinical treatment protocols.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArmfuls of Time: The Psychological Experience of the Child with a Life-Threatening Illness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBarbara M. Sourkes, Ph.D.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePsychological experience and therapeutic methods for ill children\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTherapeutic tools discussed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDrawings, soft toys, dolls, stories, medical objects\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClinicians, therapists, students working with children\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContent style\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCase material, child quotes, interpretations and practical advice\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArmfuls of Time is a compassionate, clinically useful book for professionals who seek to understand how children psychologically process serious illness; its reliance on children's words and low-tech therapeutic tools makes it excellent value for training and practical application in clinical settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book include case examples from children?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The author makes extensive use of children's words and case material to illustrate clinical points.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it practical for therapists working with young children?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Sourkes describes concrete methods such as drawings, dolls and medical objects that therapists can adapt in sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a medical guide for treatment protocols?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The book focuses on psychological experience and therapeutic approaches rather than medical treatment protocols.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Barbara M. 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