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Edmonton psychologist urges 'Potter therapy' -
Summary:
Edmonton psychologist urges 'Potter therapy' for kids
Article:
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Wizardnews
Potter 'therapy' urged for kids
Positive spell of spirit, courage, friends, wise wizards can allay anxieties
Jodie Sinnema
Edmonton Journal
Friday, February 06, 2004
Picturing Harry Potter's friends backing them up is a way for children to imagine themselves as brave, Edmonton psychologist Neil Mulholland says.
EDMONTON -- Young students who are angry, depressed or over-anxious about tests, sports championships or life in school hallways could use a little bit of Harry Potter therapy by envisioning an imaginary Hermione, Dumbledore or Hagrid coaxing them on, says an Edmonton psychologist.
"Harry Potter is all about bravery and courage and wisdom," said Neil Mulholland, who works with kids who have extreme behavioural or anxiety issues. "This is a way for kids to imagine themselves as brave and courageous."
Mulholland spoke about Harry Potter and other positive role models for kids to a room full of teachers and counsellors attending a convention.
Teachers heard how kids can learn to decrease their anxiety by imagining themselves surrounded by loyal friend Ron Weasley, curly-haired and clever Hermione Granger, or Hagrid the giant.
"It's an imaging technique," he said. "What would that character be saying to you about how to handle the big game or the test tomorrow? ... We have to counter the negative thoughts with a positive spell."
When children replace their negative self-thoughts -- failing tests, experiencing stage fright or going blank during a class presentation -- with positive encouragement from imaginary friends flying over them on Quidditch sticks or sitting beside them as if they were both at Hogwarts school, the students begin to gain confidence in themselves, he said.
Mulholland said eight to 12 per cent of children experience anxiety, but it's often a difficult problem for teachers to pick up. Some kids may get physically ill from worrying about exams or volleyball tournaments.
Like these students, Harry Potter's life is full of anxious situations. He meets the evil Voldemort in the form of a poisonous snake. He faces regular emotional abuse from his Muggle cousin Dudley. He has to steal a golden egg from a Hungarian horntail dragon's lair. And he loses the bone in his arm after a Quidditch bludger ball breaks it.
"This young guy was faced with one thing after another," Mulholland said. And yet Harry is able to rise above his troubles with the help of many unique friends and wise wizards. Patient Albus Dumbledore, headmaster at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft, accepts Harry even though he does anti-school activities, such as sneak through the corridors in his invisibility cloak when he's supposed to be in bed.
"I wish I had him around when I was a kid," Mulholland said of Dumbledore.
He said Harry Potter characters, or ones like Yoda, the wise Jedi master in Star Wars whose strength is the quiet force within him, offer positive role models to children who have few real role models in their life. Harry Potter characters also have their own quirks and foibles, making them more realistic role models than other superheroes.
Mulholland said many children who use his imaging technique hear the characters tell them that everything will be okay.
"Good always triumphs over evil," Mulholland said. By envisioning Harry Potter or Professor McGonagall with them during stressful times, students allow their imaginations to free them from anxiety and change negative thought patterns.
"Kids not in good situations, enduring terrible times, have hope that some magic or better people will come to guide them," he said.
Accutally I kind of wish I had started reading them earlier
I am just glad that Harry is comforting children that have anxiety and other such social diseases. I think that's what Harry is all about, don't you agree? :sorcerer:
