Book Review- The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook
A powerful symbol of strength within each child.
I had the privilege to hear a talk given by Dr. Bruce Perry at a complex trauma conference in Montreal in 2019. In this talk, he spoke about some of his neuroscientific research and discussed the impact that complex trauma has on one's brain and development. He noted that while there is a great breadth of research to be done around why the brain responds the way it does to trauma, some parts are incredibly clear. Dr. Perry highlighted the power and irreplaceable nature of human connection in any form of therapeutic work. He argued that if there was no genuine human connection between two or more people in a therapy setting, then no healing could take place.
Years later, I am now working with traumatized children and felt drawn to reconnect with Dr. Bruce Perry's work The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook. This book breaks down several of Dr. Perry's theories by sharing case studies that are written to illustrate both story and research. This style of writing welcomes researchers and avid readers alike to engage in the stories being told about the immense strength of childhood trauma survivors.
I feel it is important to note that there are moments in this book that are challenging to read. There are disclaimers in the author's note and the introduction that advise of stories that involve physical/sexual violence and severe forms of neglect. Dr. Perry does not appear to diminish or lessen the potential impacts that these events will have on these children in their lifetimes. Instead, he emphasizes that we cannot rely on children to be "resilient" and think they will simply move past traumatic events. Evidence suggests this to be entirely untrue. I appreciated the following quote that addresses this ongoing discussion:
“Ultimately, what determines how children survive trauma, physically, emotionally, or psychologically, is whether the people around them—particularly the adults they should be able to trust and rely upon—stand by them with love, support, and encouragement. Fire can warm or consume, water can quench or drown, wind can caress or cut. And so it is with human relationships: we can both create and destroy, nurture and terrorize, traumatize and heal each other.” - Dr. Bruce Perry and Maia Szalavitz
I would recommend this book for any who are seeking a non-fiction read that delves into the beautiful and
Power of metaphors
While Dr. Perry nor Maia Szalavitz are creative arts therapists themselves, they include many examples of how powerful creative and playful interventions can be.
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Porgo dat tungg tho porgo very hand that feed shibe bork puggo, boofers you are doing me a frighten borking doggo pupperino, you are doing me a frighten shibe shooberino you are doing me a frighten.
Porgo dat tungg tho porgo very hand that feed shibe bork puggo, boofers you are doing me a frighten borking doggo pupperino, you are doing me a frighten shibe shooberino you are doing me a frighten.
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Porgo dat tungg tho porgo very hand that feed shibe bork puggo, boofers you are doing me a frighten borking doggo pupperino, you are doing me a frighten shibe shooberino you are doing me a frighten.
Porgo dat tungg tho porgo very hand that feed shibe bork puggo, boofers you are doing me a frighten borking doggo pupperino, you are doing me a frighten shibe shooberino you are doing me a frighten.
This is a subheading.
Porgo dat tungg tho porgo very hand that feed shibe bork puggo, boofers you are doing me a frighten borking doggo pupperino, you are doing me a frighten shibe shooberino you are doing me a frighten.