Acknowledgments

Many people have helped me in writing this book. First and foremost, I would like to thank the many children, adults, and families with whom I have worked over the years. They have been my best teachers in discovering the most effective ways to help persons with dysregulation. Without them, this book would not have been possible.

Several superb mentors and collaborators have been instrumental in helping me discover new ways of working with and understanding individuals with dysregulation. I had the honor to be guided by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, child psychiatrist, who helped me in integrating sensorimotor, emotional, and developmental frameworks into a holistic model of working with children and adults. Dr. Stephen Porges, developmental psychologist, collaborated with me in researching disorders of self-regulation in children and taught me the importance of linking theories and research with clinical approaches. Both Dr. Greenspan and Dr. Porges helped me understand the profound effect that constitutional problems have on the person’s developmental course and the impact on relationships. I am indebted to Dr. Polly Craft who offered me the gift of discovering the special meaning that each child and parent have for one another. She helped me to learn parent–infant psychotherapy which was the basis for the child-centered therapy described in this book.

I am deeply appreciative of Dr. Anne Kendall who contributed her knowledge and expertise to many of the skill sheets that appear in this book. Dr. Kendall helped me to apply concepts of Dialectic Behavior Therapy to difficult clients. The blending of DBT, sensory integration, and psychodynamic therapy has been the inspiration for the skills sheets in this book.

I have had the good fortune of working in a variety of settings that have allowed me to grow as a professional. I would like to thank all of my colleagues at ITS (Integrated Therapy Services): Psychological and Learning Support Services, Inc. in Kensington, MD, and the Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Children in Rockville, MD. These colleagues have provided ongoing support and insight that has allowed me to blend my knowledge of occupational therapy with clinical and developmental psychology and to integrate different therapeutic perspectives including cognitive–behavioral therapy with psychodynamic approaches. It was at the Louie Center that I learned the importance of fostering emotional health and development through the parent–child relationship and the value of early intervention and prevention in treating multiproblem families.

The case vignettes and examples that are described in this book are based on real clinical examples. The names and pertinent identifying information of these individuals and their families have been disguised to protect their identities.

Last, but not the least, I would like to thank my loving husband, Robert Dickey, who endured many hours of listening to me as I formulated ideas for this book. I am so grateful for his unconditional support and encouragement for my professional endeavors.