Ms Camilla Pascoe1
1Univeristy Of Sydney, Australia
Biography:
Camilla Pascoe is a PhD student in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at University of Sydney. She is completing her thesis on providing a novel approach to psychotherapy, namely through Complex Play, in those who experience treatment resistant severe mental health disorders. Camilla has also worked as a Research Officer and Sessional Academic teaching Bioethics at University of Sydney.
Abstract:
I argue that complex play can be a useful tool when determining the child’s view in cases of early onset psychosis. The voice (or lack thereof) of the child needs to be addressed via a model of complex play (CP) which complies with the UN Convention on the Rights of a child (UNCRC, 1989). For example, ensuring that no child is tortured i.e. placed in isolation or held down to force medication upon them. Drawing upon strategies/theories from psychoanalytic play and building upon these models, I argue that this may provide a novel approach in ameliorating symptoms of early onset psychosis and build new ideas into UNCRC, 1989. Moreover, where allegations of torture in the hospital (asylum) are made, it seems appropriate to give more weight to a child’s voice, through specific observations (of play) and further counselling for the child. CP integrates structured and free association play (e.g. creative writing in the scientific image/sandpit therapy) to interpret the voice of the chid, including reading body language and listening carefully across difference. CP may facilitate a more scientific model to follow when considering what is in the ‘best interest’ of the child with early onset psychosis. Indeed, by not considering the child’s wishes/voice, the results to the child in mental health can indeed be catastrophic. Complex play may also be useful in hearing the true voice of the child where, for various reasons, including fear, the child may be reluctant to express how they really feel or is actually happening in the child’s life.