The Power of Penguins

How can 300 plus Penguins help with therapy? This poster will illustrate the way ‘Penguins’ in an office/therapy room contributed to engagement of reluctant children; provided a neutral symbol through which to discuss... [ view full abstract ]

How can 300 plus Penguins help with therapy?

This poster will illustrate the way ‘Penguins’ in an office/therapy room contributed to engagement of reluctant children; provided a neutral symbol through which to discuss relationships; created a warm and predictable space and offered a symbol of ‘therapy’ and ‘help’ that was friendly familiar and recognisable. They became projection objects, examples of difference and places of comfort.

Engaging in therapy is a challenging process for children with complex trauma. It is also a challenging process for clinicians who are at risk of suffering significant distress or secondary trauma. After 11 years, the room was emptied as I left this position, but an occasional penguin appears and the picture on the door remains!!

The story of several families' engagement with the penguins and examples of the meaning that clients and families made of penguins will be told on the poster..

The ‘Penguins’ became calming attachment figures. Clients and colleagues would tell me they saw penguin items or visited penguins in zoos and thought about their experience of therapy – sometimes fun and helpful, sometimes as a source of comfort..

The Poster will be interactive and encourage creative engagement and attachment processes. Come and bring ideas of symbols like the Penguins that you have used.

You will have a chance to add to this discussion at the poster station