About the book Adolescent mental health is a perennial concern. Parents, teachers, youth counsellors, social workers, psychologists and other professionals are all working to find ways to support young people in their quest to develop self-confidence, a positive outlook and strong mental health. In Emotional Literacy for Adolescent Mental Health, Dr Patricia Sherwood recognises that traditional talk therapy may not always be the best approach. Adolescence is defined as a time when personal privacy is important and verbal communication is often confined to peers in whom young people feel they can trust. This groundbreaking book therefore offers a diversity of non-verbal experiential exercises, skills and interventions for working with adolescents who may be facing particular challenges at a complex time in their lives. The activities are drawn from the artistic therapies, including drama and movement, clay therapy, and sand play as well as meditation, nature-based and animal-assisted therapies. These practical methodologies and approaches are shown to be beneficial when addressing a range of adolescent mental health conditions such as low self-esteem, self-judgement, anxiety, depression, anger, addiction, self-harm, psychosis and despair. Key points Real-world scenarios convey authentic examples of the challenges young people face * Practical, therapeutic activities offer alternative interventions to talk-based therapy * Approaches include meditation, drama and movement, clay therapy, sand-play and other artistic as well as animal-assisted and nature-based therapies * Addresses key areas of concern such as self-esteem, anxiety, depression and addiction that often manifest in the adolescent years.

Table of contents Chapter 1: Experiencing adolescence. Chapter 2: Low versus high self-esteem Chapter 3: Self Judgement versus self-compassion Chapter 4: Anger versus peace Chapter 5: Anxiety versus contentment Chapter 6: Addiction versus self-presence Chapter 7: Psychosis versus insight Chapter 8: Self-harm versus self-acceptance Chapter 9: Depression versus joy Chapter 10: Despair versus hope About the author Dr Patricia Sherwood has been lecturing for more than 30 years in the fields of social work, psychology, cultural studies and the human services. A counsellor and psychotherapist, her clinical practice specialises in adolescents, children and family systems. She trains counsellors and presents internationally on the subject of non-verbal artistic therapies. Related titles * Emotional Literacy: The heart of classroom management, Patricia Sherwood, ACER Press 2008 * The Healing Art of Clay Therapy, Patricia Sherwood, ACER Press 2004.