Hey Toy Man

Abstract

A child therapy case is presented. Abby, a six-year-old adopted girl, ignores classroom rules, struggles socially, and has frequent tantrums. In early sessions, Abby's play is disjointed though she loves to play. She also loves to boss her therapist around, telling him what to do and say. Abby names her therapist Toy Man, a moniker that remains for much of the treatment. Over the next two years, Abby and her therapist journey through a therapeutic landscape filled with imaginative play. As Abby emerges as a storyteller, she and the therapist embark on a series of adventures that illuminate her feelings about her own history, as the therapeutic relationship becomes more engaged and mutual. The therapist often wonders about the meaning of the play. As he lets go and fully embraces the play, Abby's stories deepen. Now eight, Abby is doing well at school, and is enjoying friends and her family. At this point, she decides she wants to stop therapy. This paper, focused on play scenes and dialogue, is meant to bring the reader into the world of child therapy. It is designed to elicit questions rather provide answers, though the power of a therapist's entering a child's world to understand and co-create meaning is discussed.