Psycho-corrective Game "Bears" As A Means Of Overcoming Post-traumatic Stress Disorders After The Parents Divorced

2024 Author: Harry Day | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:43

A toy is a cultural tool, with the help of which the state of modern culture (civilization) is conveyed in a "folded form", the direction of movement: towards life or death, prosperity or degradation, mutual understanding or alienation. With the help of a toy, the essence of human relations and a complex worldview are transmitted to the child

Toy - a spiritual image of an ideal life, an ideal world, the archetype of ideas about good. It symbolizes good and defines the border between good and evil. The toy has always fulfilled a psychotherapeutic function: it helped the child to master his own desires and fears. She gives children vivid images, and the formation of their moral ideas, a picture of the world, largely depends on what they will be like.

bear - one of the ancient toys. Our ancestors wrapped children in animal skins, replaced mothers' warmth. When the children grew up, the skins were sewn together and stuffed with straw, placed next to the child. After mom's warmth, the traditional bear is the second most reliable. For many generations, he is the closest friend, you can cry on him, you can calmly sleep with him, like with a brother, in your arms. Modern mums often have to leave their baby for a while, so the big soft beast is the best company. This is another task of the toy, which arose later, when mankind moved from caves to houses, - to be the company of children, to save them from loneliness and defenselessness.

According to psychologists, soft toys reduce children's fears and help adults to brighten up loneliness.

Besides, bear - an ideal friend, always behaves correctly, understands everything and does not remember evil. And this is not because there are no friends among peers, such a child, growing up, remains an emotional person, and this always attracts others, often acting as a prerequisite for successful socialization.

The small size of the bear will help the child in difficult situations for him. Going to the clinic, getting used to kindergarten will be less painful with your favorite toy. This is support in an unfamiliar environment, tangible support and protection, an object of strength.

Its most important purpose is to give tenderness to the child. And, as practice shows, a cute bear is able to "cure" a child from fears and even from nocturnal enuresis. The soft toy embodies the deep needs of a small creature, and not only a human one.

Such toys are necessary, children need them from the first year of life. Animal toys are very cozy, they have (at least good ones) good faces, it is nice to press your cheek against them. A child (even if she (he) is already thirteen) can entrust his bear with a secret, find consolation in it. A soft toy often replaces a child's mother when she is away from home. She also develops the maternal instinct. If the belly of a toy animal is stuffed with granules, the benefit is twofold: by going through them, the child will become calmer and fine motor skills of the hands will actively develop.

A bear for a child is not only a decoration, souvenir or amulet, but above all a toy, i.e. object and means of the game. To find out the value of a stuffed animal, it is important to understand how a child plays with a stuffed animal and what role it plays in his life. The ability to change voice, words and intonation opens up opportunities for a child to communicate with a toy, which is a stimulus for development for internal dialogue. It is known that in the life of many children, the bear is a favorite toy, which they do not part with: they talk to it, share their joys and thoughts, sleep together, eat, and take them outside. The toy is able to become a friend and help in difficult situations.

A necessary quality of such a toy is openness to any transformations and moods, as well as helplessness, which stimulates the child's care and assistance. Only in this case, a “toy-friend” can become not just a plush object, but a “second self”, an object of care and a communication partner. However, only a close and attentive adult can make a soft toy loved and revived. Therefore, parents should talk with the child in the voice of a toy animal, tell that the new pet loves, that he wants to live with him, sleep, walk, needs care - he is cold, painful, bored, etc.

Often in play therapy, the psychologist turns to toys, using them as substitutes for real people.

Let's imagine one of the options for working with toys with children affected by the divorce of their parents. It should be noted that this game can be used by a psychologist with adults who have not experienced (are still traumatized) the situation of their parents' divorce.

Exercise "Family of bears"

Purpose: to monitor family relationships and the consequences of divorce for a child.

Time: 25-30 minutes.

Exercise type: projective-diagnostic game.

Form of work: individual or family.

Materials and equipment: a set of bears, a bear - mom, a bear - dad, bears-children, bears for additional social roles, the availability of toys for the child's additional projection needs.

The course of the exercise: the trainer lays out the bears on the table and invites the child to choose the mother, the bear, the father of the bear, and the boy (girl) bear. On a large sheet of paper, the format of which is chosen by the child himself, we propose to draw all the houses in which they live. We ask the child to determine with whom the bear cub lives and invites each family to draw something so that they can visit each other. It is possible to finish drawing paths or other images that are understandable for the child, which will provide a symbolic opportunity to walk from one house to another. And offer to be on a visit…. (which, in fact, will be the therapeutic component of the game)

List of questions:

1. Tell me, where is Mother Bear? What is she like? What does he do?

2. What kind of daddy Bear, what does he like, where does he work?

3. And with whom does the boy (girl) Bear cub live?

4. How does the Bear and his mom (dad) live?

5. What do they do?

6. Does the Bear have its own room?

7. What is she like?

8. Does the Little Bear go to visit mom (dad)?

9. Let's go? Draw, please, the road we will follow.

10. What is the Bear doing with mom (dad)?

11. Does mom (dad) have a room for the Bear?

12. Let the Bear come back home.

13. Going home?

14. Still wants the Bear to visit mom (dad)?

15. Do you want Mommy Bear (daddy) to come to the Bear’s home for a visit?

16. How does Teddy bear feel?

So, we go to visit the mother (father) of the bear cub until the bear cub becomes comfortable with each of the parents. If a child in real life cannot visit one of the parents, this makes it possible for him to fulfill the desired need. If one of the parents is present at such a game, then this will give an opportunity to see this need of the child, and then, perhaps, the parents will change their position and will allow mom (dad) to visit the child.

This game makes it possible to see the real state of the family, and the game form allows you to establish contact with the child, determine her emotional state and attitude towards each of the parents without unnecessary emotional stress.

The psychologist creates a special, unique atmosphere, which has its own meaning and its own rules. It helps the child to express their feelings and emotions, to give them a way out, which contributes to the new, why there was no place in the soul before. In working with a psychologist, the child tries to establish new ways of relationships, which in the future can be transferred to his environment.

Interpretation of results according to analysis:

1. Observing the process of the game

While the subject is drawing the house, the psychologist should write down:

a) the following aspects regarding time:

- The time elapsed from the moment the instructions were provided to the moment when the child started drawing;

- The duration of any pause that occurs in the process of drawing (correlating it with the implementation of a particular part)

- The total time spent by the subject from the moment when he was given instructions and before he said that he had completely finished the drawing;

b) the names of the details of the drawings of the house, in the order in which they were drawn by the subject, numbered sequentially. The deviation from the sequence of depicting details in the work of the subjects, of course, turns out to be significant; an accurate record of such a case is necessary, since this may interfere with a qualitative assessment of the drawing as a whole;

c) all spontaneous comments made by the subject in the process of drawing at home are correlated with the sequence of details. The process of drawing these objects can cause comments that, at first glance, do not correspond at all to the depicted objects, give a lot of interesting information about the researched;

d) associate any insignificant emotion shown in the process of drawing with the detail depicted at that moment. The process of drawing often causes strong emotional manifestations in the subject, so they need to be written down. In order to conduct record-observation more successfully, the researcher must make it so that he can easily observe this process.

2. The choice of bears

The choice of bears of mom, dad, boy (girl) play the role of symbolic material, self-expression of the child. Thus, she can tell a lot about herself and her parents without words.

The child bear cub symbolizes his personality in the built picture, interacts with other characters, expressing the feelings and thoughts that are most exciting for the child. Using play characters, children transfer their feelings and ideas to them, creates a sense of security in them. The symbolic expression of feelings is very important for reducing anxiety and promoting mental and physical comfort. Quite often this is directly manifested in the words when she calls one of the children depicted "child", and the other - "sister" or "brother".

If, in fact, the examined boy has an older sister, and the family of animals depicts two children - an "older brother" and "a younger sister" - then, most likely, the child is identified with the one whom she called "younger sister" (the seniority relationship is, of course, more significant than gender). The task of the psychologist is to find out which of them the child identifies with.

3. Comparative analysis of houses, mom and dad (placement, availability of details)

House. The house is old, collapsed. Sometimes the subject in this way can express an attitude towards himself.

A home in the distance - a feeling of "rejection".

Home close - openness, accessibility and / or a feeling of warmth and hospitality.

The plan of the house (projection from above) instead of itself is a serious conflict.

Various buildings - aggression directed against the actual owner of the house or revolt against what the subject considers to be artificial and cultural standards.

The shutters are closed - the subject is able to adapt to interpersonal relationships.

A staircase leading to a blank wall (without doors) is a reflection of a conflict situation and prevents a correct assessment of reality. The inaccessibility of the subject (although he himself may desire free heartfelt communication).

Walls. The back wall, located in an unusual way - conscious attempts at self-control, adaptation to conventions, but at the same time there are strong hostile tendencies.

The contour of the back wall is significantly brighter (thicker) compared to other details - the subject seeks to maintain (not lose) contact with reality.

The wall, the absence of its base - weak contact with reality (if the picture is placed below).

Wall with an accented outline of the base - the subject is trying to displace conflicting tendencies, experiencing difficulties, anxiety.

A wall with an accented horizontal dimension - poor time orientation (dominance of the past or future). Subject may be sensitive to environmental pressure.

Wall; the lateral contour is too thin and inadequate - a presentiment (threat) of a catastrophe.

Wall: The contours of the line are too accented - a conscious desire to maintain control.

Wall: one-dimensional perspective - only one side depicted. If it is a sidewall, there are serious tendencies towards alienation and opposition.

Transparent walls - unconscious attraction, the need to influence (own, organize) the situation as much as possible.

Wall with an accentuated vertical dimension - the subject seeks pleasure primarily in fantasies and has fewer contacts with reality than is desirable.

Door. Their absence - the subject experiences difficulties in striving to open up to others (especially in the home circle).

Back or side doors - retreat, detachment.

The doors are open - the first sign of openness, access.

Side doors (one or more) - alienation, loneliness, rejection of reality. Significant inaccessibility.

The doors are very large - excessive dependence on others or the desire to surprise with their social sociability.

The doors are very small - unwillingness to let you into your "I". Feelings of inadequacy, inadequacy, and indecision in social situations.

Doors with a huge lock - hostility, secrecy, defensive tendencies.

Smoke. The smoke is very thick - significant internal stress (intensity according to the density of the smoke).

Smoke from a thin "stream" - a feeling of lack of emotional warmth at home.

Window. The first floor is drawn at the end - aversion to interpersonal relationships, a tendency towards isolation from reality.

The windows are strongly open - the subject behaves somewhat cheekily and straightforward. Many windows indicate a willingness to contact, and the absence of curtains indicates a lack of desire to hide their feelings.

Windows are closed (hung) - preoccupation with interaction with the environment (if it is significant for the subject).

Windows without glass - hostility, alienation. Lack of windows on the ground floor - hostility, alienation.

There are no windows on the lower floor, but there are on the upper floor - the chasm between real life and fantasy life.

The roof. The roof is a realm of fantasy. The roof and chimney, blown off by the wind, symbolically express the feelings of the subject, regardless of their own willpower.

A roof, a rich outline, unusual for a drawing - fixation on fantasies as a source of pleasure, of course, is accompanied by anxiety.

Roof, thin edge contour - experiences weakening of fantasy control.

Roof, thick edge contour - excessive preoccupation with controlling (curbing) fantasy.

The roof is badly connected to the lower floor - bad personal organization.

The eaves of the roof, accentuating it with a bright outline or a continuation behind the walls, is an intensely protective installation.

Pipe. Lack of Trumpet - Subject feels a lack of psychological warmth at home.

The pipe is almost invisible (hidden) - unwillingness to deal with emotional influences.

The pipe is drawn obliquely on the roof - the norm for a child; significant regression if found in adults.

Gutters - enhanced protection.

Water pipes (or roof gutters) are reinforced protective installations.

Supplements. The transparent "glass" box symbolizes the experience of exposing yourself to everyone. He is accompanied by a desire to demonstrate himself, but is limited only by visual contact.

Trees often represent different faces. If they are kind of "hiding" the house, there is a strong need for parental dominance.

Bushes sometimes symbolize people. If they closely surround the home, there may be a strong desire to shield themselves with protective barriers.

Bushes are randomly scattered across space or on both sides of the path - minor anxiety within the framework of reality and a conscious desire to control it.

The track, well proportioned, easily drawn, shows that the individual in contact with others exhibits tact and self-control.

The track is very long - reduced availability, often accompanied by a need for more adequate socialization.

The path is very wide at the beginning and narrow in the house - an attempt to disguise the desire to be alone, combined with superficial friendliness.

The sun is a symbol of an authority figure. It is often perceived as a source of warmth and strength.

Weather reflects the environment-related experiences of the subject as a whole. Most likely, the worse the unpleasant weather is depicted, the more likely it is that the subject perceives the environment as hostile and constraining.

Number of colors used:

- A well-adapted, shy and emotionally not deprived subject of course uses no less than two and no more than five colors;

- Subject using 7-8 colors is labile at best.

Choice of colors. The longer, uncertainty, and the harder the subject selects colors, the more likely it is to have personality impairments.

Black color - shyness, fearfulness.

The color green is the need for security. This position is not so important when using green for the branches of a tree or the roof of a house.

Orange is a combination of sensitivity and hostility.

The color magenta is a strong need for power.

Red is the most sensitive. The need for warmth from others.

Colors, shading 3/4 of the sheet - lack of control over the expression of emotions. Hatching, going beyond the drawing, - the tendency towards impulsive responses to additional stimulation.

The color is yellow - strong signs of hostility.

General form. Placing a drawing on the edge of a sheet is a generalized feeling of insecurity, danger is often combined with a certain temporary meaning:

a) the right side is the future, the left is the past, b) is associated with the purpose of the room or with its permanent tenant, c) the left side indicates the specifics of experiences: - emotional, right - intellectual.

Perspective. The perspective "above the subject" (looking from the bottom up) - the feeling that the subject is rejected, detached, unrecognized at home. The subject feels the need for a home, which he considers inaccessible, unattainable.

The perspective, the drawing is depicted in the distance - the desire to move away from the conventional society. Feelings of isolation, rejection. A clear tendency to detach from the environment. The desire to reject, not recognize this drawing or what it symbolizes. Perspective, signs of "loss of perspective" (an individual correctly draws one end of the house, but in the other he draws a vertical line of the roof and walls - he does not know how to depict depth) - signals the difficulties that begin, integration, fear of the future (if the vertical side line is on the right) or a desire to forget the past (line on the left).

Placement of the picture. Placing the drawing over the center of the sheet - the more the drawing is above the center, the more likely it is that:

1) the subject feels the severity of the struggle and the relative unattainability of the goal;

2) the subject prefers to seek satisfaction in fantasies (internal tension);

3) the subject is inclined to stay aloof.

Placing the drawing exactly in the center of the sheet is insecure and rigid (straightness). The need for nurturing control to maintain mental balance

Placement of the picture below the center of the sheet - the lower the picture is in relation to the center of the sheet, the more it looks like:

1) the subject feels unsafe and uncomfortable, this creates a depressed mood in him;

2) the subject feels limited, constrained by reality.

Placing a picture on the left side of the sheet - accentuation of the past, impulsiveness.

Placing a drawing in the upper left corner of the sheet is a tendency to avoid new experiences. Desire to go back in time or delve into fantasies.

Placing the drawing on the right half of the sheet - the subject is inclined to seek pleasure in the intellectual sphere. Controlled behavior. Emphasizing the future.

The drawing goes beyond the left edge of the sheet - fixation on the past and fear of the future. Excessive preoccupation with free, frank emotional experiences.

Going beyond the right edge of the sheet is a desire to "run away" into the future in order to get rid of the past. Fear of open, free experiences. The desire to maintain control over the situation.

Going beyond the top edge of the sheet is fixation on thinking and fantasy as sources of pleasure that the subject does not experience in real life.

The contours are very straight - rigidity.

Outline outline, used constantly - at best, pettiness, striving for accuracy, at worst - an indication of the inability to a clear position.

4. The process of choosing who the Bear boy (girl) lives with

The choice of placement by a child with one of the parents is determined by the real or desired situation after the divorce, because the destruction of the family is not the choice of the child himself. She just has to come to terms with the parental decision. The child is better off with the parent who feels less negative towards the other, and this does not always coincide with reality.

Thus, the placement allows in a short time to find ways to solve the problem, lay a good foundation for the future and avoid repeating programmed mistakes in it. This method makes it possible to reveal hidden influences and connections, strengthen what suits you, change what you don't like, find a new solution.

Placing with toys gives children a good opportunity to show their vision of the family. They quickly understand how toys are placed, and intuitively control the figures, they can tell about the feelings of each.

Quite often, the child asks to take the toy home with him, to which the psychologist must react calmly and confidently say that all the bears here will be waiting for her. At the next meeting, explain that a favorite toy is waiting for the child at home and really wants to be played with.

It is important that the psychologist, with repeated repetition of this game, observed the dynamics, changes, neoplasms, which indicate the dynamic process of the child's recovery after a traumatic situation.