With a strong emphasis on working in group settings, this book develops both the theory and practice of storymaking, enlivened by many examples from various cultures in which Gersie has worked. The author reflects on the dynamics of the storytelling process and explores the common experiences and attitudes which emerge in story work.
This book contains myths and tales from all over the world which are grouped around seven themes. The authors suggest ways in which these myths and tales can be used to develop our imagination's unique voice through educational and therapeutic encounter, and how this expression can be communicated to others who are engaged in the same task.
This book is about a specific way of helping people work through their losses, even though such losses may have occurred many years before. It is written for professionals in the health and social services who facilitate bereavement groups. Teachers who offer death education programmes should also find the book helpful. It contains reflections on the process of grief. These are followed by 12 folk tales. The ancient stories vividly convey mankind's struggle with death and loss. They also describe our engagement with despair, hope, bitterness and love. Each story is accompanied by three suggested structures for groupwork around the themes of death, loss and mourning. The story-making structures have been carefully designed to ensure the expression of the group members' creative abilities and to activate the group's coping and helping skills. The story-making process thereby becomes a journey through loss and mourning towards a renewed consent to life.