Case Example Alex (pseudonym) was a an upper-elementary school-aged boy with a history of disruptive behavior, including physical aggression toward siblings, vandalism, defiance toward adults, low impulse control, low self-esteem, and poor grades. The first session, he appeared angry, sat in a swivel chair, turned around to face the wall and said defiantly, “I’m not talking. You can’t make me.” I replied, “You don’t have to... I don’t force children to talk. I’ll just practice a magic trick.”
I took a 35-inch long piece of rope and tied a knot in it using only one hand. He slowly turned around and with widened eyes watched me. He said, “How did you do that? I can do that.” He grabbed the rope, attempted to perform the trick, without success, and threw the rope down on the floor next to a magic wand. I picked up the wand (a transparent plastic tube filled with water and glitter that moved when shaken) and said, “Let’s pretend this is a magic wishing wand. I’ll make a deal with you. When you tell me three wishes, I’ll show you how the trick is done. You can write them down on this doodle board or just tell me.”
He quickly picked up the doodle board and wrote, “Not be here, no school, no brothers or sisters.” I explained play therapy and that I was not a third parent, which seemed to ease his anxiety. Alex learned the trick after a few attempts, agreed not to tell anyone the secret to the trick (to preserve its uniqueness, his authority and self-esteem, and the professional Magician’s Code), then he chose a small magic trick from the prize box at the end of the session.
In subsequent sessions, his skill with visual-spatial tasks – Legos and puzzles – became evident. I used an integrative approach, including more magic tricks and storytelling, often during our outdoor walking sessions. I told him the story of Matthias Buchinger. Despite being born without hands or legs and being only 29 inches tall, Matthias Buchinger became an expert magician, musician, bowler, and made ships inside bottles, a compelling metaphor for turning weakness into strength. Another helpful self-esteem-building story for children is EllRay Jakes is magic, by Susan Warner (2014).
Alex’s grades improved and his disruptive behavior decreased. Occasionally, he showed me a trick he learned. Over the years, he became proficient at magic tricks, performed for community organizations, participated in summer magic camps, graduated from college, and began a successful career in the entertainment field.
Conclusion Magic tricks are beneficial, developmentally appropriate, metaphoric tools for play therapy that promote lasting and meaningful change. It provides opportunities to problem solve, develop perseverance, and gain mastery over the mysterious. The multisensory aspects performing magic can help children channel their energy and concentration into a socially engaging interaction with others. Finally, play therapists can use tricks to help children change perspectives like the colors on their magic silk scarf.
References Crenshaw, D. A., & Green, E. J. (2009). The symbolism of windows and doors in play therapy. Play Therapy, 4(3), 6-8.
Frey, D. E. (1993). Learning by metaphor. In C. E. Schaefer (Ed.), The therapeutic powers of play (pp. 223-239). Jason Aronson.
Friedman, H. (2008). Metaphors in miniature: Exploring the power of sandplay. Play Therapy, 3(3), 6-8.
Gilroy, B. (1998). Counseling kids, it’s magic: Manual of therapeutic uses of magic with children and teens. Therapist Organizer.
Gilroy, B. D. (2001). Using magic therapeutically with children. In C. E. Schaefer & H. Kaduson (Eds.), 101 more favorite play therapy techniques (pp. 429-439). Jason Aronson.
Hart, R., & Walton, M. (2010). Magic as a therapeutic intervention to promote coping in hospitalized pediatric patients. Pediatric Nursing, 36(1), 11-16.
Linden, J. H. (2003). Playful metaphors. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 45(3), 245-250.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2003.104 03530
Mills, J. C., & Crowley, R. J. (2014). Therapeutic metaphors for children (2nd ed.). Brunner-Routledge.
Osborne, M. P., & Boyce, N. P. (2013). Magic tricks from the tree house. Random House.
Schaefer, C. E., & Cangelosi, D. (2016). Essential play therapy techniques: Time-tested approaches. Guilford Press.
Shapiro, L. E. (1994). Tricks of the trade: 101 psychological techniques to help children grow and change. Child’sWork/Child’sPlay.
Stern, M. B. (2002). Child-friendly therapy: Biopsychosocial innovations for children and families. Norton.
Stewart, A. L., Field, T. A., & Echterling, L. G. (2016). Neuroscience and the magic of play therapy. International Journal of Play Therapy, 25(1), 4-13.
https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000016
Warner, S. (2014). EllRay Jakes is magic! Viking. Whitehouse, E., & Pudney, W. (1996). A volcano in my tummy: Helping children to handle anger. New Society.
Wiseman, R., & Watt, C. (2018). Achieving the impossible: A review of magic-based interventions and their effects on wellbeing. PeerJ, 6:e6081.
https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6081
Youthlight. (2003). Disappearing crayons.
www.youthlight.com. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Margo A. Napoletano, PhD, RPT-S, is a pediatric/child psychologist in private practice in San Diego, California. She also teaches at the University of California and used to provide play therapy, clinical hypnosis, and biofeedback at the Children’s Hospital Pain Clinic.
marnap500@gmail.com
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