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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1977-10-05, Page 16PLAYTHERAPY-DIRECTOR of the Huron Centre for Children and Youths, Don Keiflor, with_ social worker Jane Harris and secretary Marianne McCaffrey demonstrate how play therapy works with puppets. A reticent child may answer a lot of questions by bringing out his problems in play acting with the puppets. His aggression, otherwise held back, could be redirected in the puppets. ,//11/11111111/111111 1111111 11 1 Our collision specialists can make your car perform better the second time around! Com- plete auto repairs .. . perfect paint matching-. Call us now! Free Estimate Carl's Auto Body 24 'dour Towing_ Service: Call , collect Brussels. 887-9269 Pella and Hunt Products All Wood or Exterior Clad Windows Patio Sliding Doors Exterior Steel Insulated Doors For smooth operating and Maximum Insulating Value Come and see the Pella Window On display at H.J. 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OR Mt:OFFICE (Continued from Page 5) Miss Harris teaches parents methods of disciplining their children and stresses that consistency is a major factor, Dislike Change Bill, the 17-year-old, has an age-old problem. Every adolescent goes through a diffi- cult period of life when body and mind are changing. Most people don't like to see changes in others, the director explains. It upsets the normal pattern of life, The centre helps the teenager's family to accept the youth's instinct for independence. If he is really determined to leave home it is preferable that he leave on good terms with the family. Often, however, says Mr. Keillor, the youth wouldn't go if he really had an opportunity. He is just testing himself and his family. "We like working with young people in ,this area, and encourage parents to understand their children's natural instinct for independence." As children are given increasing responsibility, they learn to appreciate independence, as do their parents. The whole objective of parenthood should be to develop independent, well- adjusted adults. "We help families deal with problems," says the director, "we don't solve problems. Our contribution, is to get families together to talk.", There is a big room at the centre which contains toys for the children as well as a two-way mirror, through which Mr. Keillor can observe behaviour from his office. Families often meet in this room, particularly the larger families. They know that someone is watching from behind the mirrow and that the session is being taped. Sometimes as many as three social workers are talking with the family. "Family dynamics are so complex," says Mr.Keillor. "The tape helps if we have missed something that was said, some- thing that is the key to the problem. We play the tape back to the family as well, so they can understand the problem." Toys Have Purpose Even the toys have meaningful purpose. There are, puppets and a small stage where real life drama may be portrayed by a reticent child. The child may well be hesitant to tell a social worker the exael nature of the problem. For instance, he or she may enact a male and female puppet arguing, as the parents of the child do at home. After investi- gation it may be discovered that the child is frightened by family arguments, perhaps believing himself to be the cause of unhappiness. Other social workers at the centre, in addition to Miss Harris, include Philip Warren, Archie Andrew and Shirley Hackman. The latter holds a master's degree in sociology and worked in children's mental health centres previously: Mr. Andrew also holds a master's degree and has worked with the John Howard Society for criminal offenders who need assistance in adjusting to society. He has also worked for the Alcolibl and Drug Addiction Research Foundation in Toronto. (There have been no major drug problems at the Huron Centre yet, but alcohol has been evident as a relating factor in several instances.) Mr. Andrew was trained at King's 1Coilege; London, and speeialies in play therapy for childrenf, such as the puppet theatre. AnOther important staff member is Marianne McCaffrey, who answers the phone and is the first contact with a troubled youth or family. Mr. Keillor says she is an excellent choice for the job, with her warm and under- standing manner which comes through on the telephone. Mrs. McCaffrey says she usually makes appointments as soon as possible,, but if the person calling is extremely agitated she puts the call through to a staff member immediately. She has had teachers call her after upsetting experiences with children about whom they are concerned. There is a good liaison between. the schools, the parents and the centre when a problem is being handled. There is no long wait for an appointment as yet. Mr. Keillor says the capabilities of the centre are growing at a steady rate with the need. When the social worker joined the staff at 9 a.m., she was working with a family an hour later. At present 24-hour service is available in all cases of emergency. Miss Harris says that appoint- ments can be arranged, even though parents cannot come during the day. Arrangements can be made to accommodate those who work on shift work or who have other spec; circum- stances. Rarely is it m_:..:try to hospitalize a child; 61.. ;filly can usually provide for the Leeds with the assistance and guidance of the centre. Mr. Keillor says that some parents fail to realize their children are individuals, with very real sensitivities, likes and dislikes. There is a tendency to lump all "kids" together and consider them all the same. If a youth comes to the centre alone, he will not be turned away, but the staff members will try to involve the family. If under I6,. the centre prefers to have the parents' consent at least. There are no fees for services; the centre is a non-profit public service. The next development will be branch offices in the county if there is an appreciable number of families in need of assistance in the outlying areas. Such an office would, perhaps, be staffed by one person and open one or two days a week. "We all have vulnerable times in our lives," says Mr. Keillor. The death of a member of the family or a divorce or just the 16—THE BRUSSELS POST, OCTOBER 5, 1977 Help here for youth problems of adolescent years are among the factors which can create crises. Miss Harris says that at these times, parents are often blinded to the good qualities of their offspring. They see only the bad traits and as a -result magnify them unduly. A third, uninvolved person is needed to put things into perspective. . BoardYleeting The annual meeting of the centre's board of directors is to be held October 5 at, 7:30 p.m. at Clinton Public School. At this meeting, the board memberS will officially give up their seats and the new board will be elected or returned. Mr. Keillor feels that this locally elected board is important. It wouldn't be the same if the center was run by an obscure group in Toronto. The center is open five days a week, with evening appointments as well. It is located at 160 Huron Street, Clinton.