Resources: Review - The therapeutic power of storytelling

The book takes the form of a series of linked narratives, each dealingwith a young person and the stories that the author selected or devisedto help illuminate and articulate issues they are struggling with.

The book opens with the story of 10-year-old Debbie, who is one of sevenchildren being brought up by their lone mother who is herself still onlyin her mid twenties. Her mother has had multiple partners and a drugproblem.

It is clear she has made enormous efforts to care for her children, butfinds it difficult to cope.

Debbie is "continually worried and anxious" and has problems with herschoolwork. She craves attention, like her older teenage sister, who hasalready embarked on a life of promiscuity. In Debbie's case, a majorturning point follows from a story that is written by the child herself.The story is entitled Don't Trust Anyone Evil, and takes the form of afairy tale, involving a princess, a magic lion, some witches andtreasure. This story proved a safe structure in which serious emotionalproblems could be articulated and explored. While there are no magicaltransformations for the real children in the book, Debbie's caseillustrates the ways in which stories can be used to develop insight andbuild psychological resilience.