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CHAPTER 6: Creating Space for Dominic’s Peace

DOI:

10.1891/9780826150028.0006

Authors

  • Mitchell, Ariel

Abstract

This chapter presents a case study of a 9-year-old Caucasian child who lived with his paternal grandparents in a small rural community. The patient attended a local private school where he received individualized education accommodations based on school-level evaluations, asserting that his learning is being impacted by behavioral deficits. Media outlets also played a large role in his life as he reportedly spent a large amount of his formative years locked inside of his bedroom with a television and video games. According to Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, at 9 years of age the patient was in the industry versus inferiority stage of development. Based on his developmental level and age, the author used a child-centered play therapy modality to facilitate the therapeutic process. Based on his grandmother’s report of the patient’s behavior, he developed some of the skills needed for treatment to be considered successful.