TECHNIQUE OF CATALYST THERAPY

Catalyst therapy is a three-stage method of  therapy. In the initial communication the child and therapist draw one or more pictures together. Verbal communication is minimal.

The therapist says, “We are going to draw a picture. Watch.”  The therapist then draws a tree, a path, or some other environmental     feature. Thetherapist then says, “Now you  draw.”

This dual graphic communication continues until the session terminates.As the therapeutic process develops, the verbal communication changes and becomes more diversified.  However,  children in Catalyst Therapy are reluctant communicators, so it is important to proceed slowly toprevent the child from becoming  inaccessible again.

If  the child is responding with some autonomy, the therapist then moveson to the second stage by introducing an animal with humanlikecharacteristics. Animals such as a mouse or a rabbit are usually  unthreatening and can become easy vehicles for such exploration as  anger, sexuality, etc. The child…