According to the children's charity
Barnados*, more than half the UK population believe that teenagers behave
like monsters, using words like 'animal', 'feral' and 'vermin' in referring
to young people. Even if they don't share this belief, therapists, teachers,
classroom assistants, youth workers and foster parents still struggle to
work effectively with challenging adolescents on a daily basis. While they
want to help and support these young people, they are often unsure how to
go about it, or find they fear the young person, but are ashamed to share
these feelings with colleagues.
To truly understand, empathise
and work with this challenging age group, we need to find a way to enter
and map their internal worlds. Jargon-free and engaging, You Think
I'm Evil takes the reader on a fascinating journey into the hidden
inner territory of troubled and troubling adolescents. It offers new perspectives
to help professionals reframe our ideas about what is driving their behaviour
and attitude. The author, David Taransaud, provides practical, evidence-based
methods and techniques for connection, empathising, and building a fruitful
relationship with young people, enabling us to help them return to more
creative ways of living. In recognising the limitations of everyday language,
You Think I'm Evil suggests new forms of creative expression,
drawn from teenage preferences, allowing both adult and adolescent to safely
explore the young person's inner and outer world together.
The Author
David Taransaud trained at the Institute of Arts in Psychotherapy and Education
as a psychotherapeutic counsellor for adolescents. He has over ten years
experience of working in education with challenging teenagers in Lambeth,
one of London's most deprived boroughs. The majority of his adolescent clients
are labelled as anti-social, have a statement of SEBD and have been severely
traumatised in their early years (neglect, loss, emotional, sexual, physical
abuse etc).
Readership
A practical resource for teachers, psychologists, parents, SENCO's, support
staff, educational therapists, counsellors, play therapists, Sure Start
and nursery staff, governors, educational policy makers, and all involved
in facilitating pupils' learning and well-being.