Transforming 'the red beast' within through mindfulness and therapeutic storytelling: a case study

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    6 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The case is presented of a professional learning project through which a school counsellor was assisted in her work with a child who she admitted 'rattled her cage' due to his complex needs and behaviours and the effect these had on her and the other children in her social skills group. As a result of a combination of mindfulness and therapeutic storytelling the child was able to gain an insight into his behaviour, which helped him feel a new sense of calm, safety and belonging. While the story of 'The Red Beast' provided the therapeutic content, the counsellor's transmission of mindfulness into the story telling space allowed it to be absorbed as wisdom to be drawn upon later by him and the other children in the group. This case demonstrates that school counsellors can benefit from professional development in mindfulness practice that supports them to become more attuned to the needs of vulnerable children through becoming more aware of their own emotional energies. It also shows that a therapeutic story's effectiveness can be enhanced if the teller is mindful of the right moment, manner and context in which to tell it.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)172-184
    Number of pages13
    JournalAustralian Journal of Guidance and Counselling
    Volume23
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2013

    Keywords

    • Anger
    • Emotions
    • Mindfulness
    • Professional learning
    • Relationships
    • Therapeutic stories

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