Feeling Better: A Kid's Book about Therapy

By Rachel Rashkin­-Shoot

Book Overview

As life gets more complicated, it's not unusual for children to feel angry, lonely, upset, and sad. In their confusion, some kids may withdraw socially, perform less well in school, care less about their appearance, lose interest in the activities they once enjoyed, develop eating problems, sleep too much or not enough, express anger inappropriately -- any number of changes that signal the need for some extra help. When these feelings become too strong or last too long, one of the things that can help is therapy.

Feeling Better is an information packed chronicle that will reassure children who are entering therapy by answering their concerns about what's normal and what to expect.

Feeling Better is Maya's journal during a year that starts out sad, angry, and confused, and ends -- with the help of therapy -- with the return of her confident grin.

Along the way, she answers many of the questions that kids have about therapy.

Why do kids go to therapy?Is there something wrong with me?What's a therapist?What is therapy like?What do I tell my friends?Will a therapist give away my secrets?How long does it last?

"Being in therapy can be fun and exciting, and it can also be hard and a little scary," says Maya. "But you end up feeling really proud of yourself."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591472377
• ISBN13: 9781591472377
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Magination Press
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.4" x 9.4"
• Age Range: 8 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 9

Customer Reviews

A valuable addition to a therapist's waiting room or office

This is a well crafted book. The author introduces, in language easily understood by pre-teens, a broad range of components found in psychodynamically oriented therapy. My sense is that this book can (and does) increase even a somewhat resistant client's capacity for engaging in the therapeutic process. One concern of mine is that, because of its thoroughness, the book is somewhat on the long side and, hence, difficult to read from beginning to end. The children who sit in my waiting room, though, are undeterred. On at least one occasion, the book has disappeared, only to reappear a week or two later. Overall, I believe that "Feeling Better", is an excellent investment for the office or waiting room of any child therapist.

A neat book

This is a great book about a girl who goes to therapy because she's having problems at school and at home. I was nervous and mad to see a therapist but my mom found this book for me. It really helped me feel better about going and my mom liked reading it too! It's hard to find books about things like this, so I'm glad this one was written. Thanks!

Educator's Resource

As a teacher, I found this book to be a valuable resource to many of my students who receive counseling in or out or school. It is a kid friendly, high interest level book that helps break down the varied thoughts and feelings of children undergoing therapy. I would highly recommend this book to any educator or parent working with a child in crisis.

a worthwhile read

This is a subject that can be difficult to write about, but Ms. Rashkin does an excellent job of making visiting a therapist seem like the healthiest choice to make. It is not sugar-coated, nor is it simplistic, but rather brings up all the realistic difficulties and positives of therapy. The author does not talk down to her audience, but clearly and warmly presents a gentle matter of fact approach. This book can really be helpful to those young people considering or are in therapy. Yeah!