The Child Within

'This book is the long awaited follow up to Richard Butler and David Green's widely read The Child Within. Their new book addresses a broader range of issues in greater depth. It shows how personal construct theory can be used creatively, yet rigorously, to make sense of the confusing worlds of children in distress. For all who work with troubled children this book is essential reading.'

Professor Alan Carr, Director of the Doctoral Programme and Professor of Clinical Psychology, University College Dublin, Ireland

Many children and young people either appear troubled or are troubling to others. Sometimes their nature and behaviour can be intimidating, confusing or mystifying. Drawing on the ideas and principles of Personal Construct Theory this book helps to develop a deeper understanding of the way children make sense of their world and themselves and offers the reader interesting solutions for resolving the dilemmas faced by such children. The practical applications of this useful theory are illustrated and developed in the text using interesting case examples coupled with the authors' solid research foundations.

Each chapter from the first edition has been expanded and re-structured in the light of fresh ideas and practices. There are seven new chapters which cover self construing, developing a credulous approach, core construing, exploring friendships, facilitating change and looking at the evidence base. There is also a guest chapter by Harry Procter on working with families.

This much-needed second edition is an essential resource for clinical psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists, medical staff, educational psychologists, teachers, mentors, probation workers, paediatricians, nursing staff, social workers, parents and all those interested in understanding and helping troubled and troubling children.