Beyond the Clouds

An Autoethnographic Research Exploring Good Practice in Crisis Settings

Claudio Mochi, Isabella Cassina

• Publisher: Loving Healing Press
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9781615996728
• eBook ISBN: 9781615996742
• Topic: Psychology
• Subtopic: Psychotherapy
• Index: Psychology

Beyond the Clouds explores the constituent elements of good practice in crisis work, providing theoretical foundations and practical tools in the context of a metaphorical journey through the clouds. By investigating and sharing his own worldwide experience in crisis contexts developed over more than 20 years, the author stimulates-through metaphors, anecdotes, and personal reflections-the reader's internal exploration.
Beyond the Clouds focuses on the conceptualization of crisis intervention as a co-constructed process, presents the innovative concept of MAP (My Awareness Process), contextualizes the role of the therapeutic power of play and play therapy in crisis settings, and underlines the relevance of symbols, writing, and metaphors in processing experiences and expanding self-knowledge and awareness. Readers will:

• Explore the dimensions of good practice in crisis work, providing theoretical foundations and practical resources.
• Appreciate the expressive power of symbols, writing, and metaphors in processing experiences and expanding self-knowledge and awareness.
• Engage in conceptualizing crisis intervention as a process of co-construction specifying the role of professionals in the field.
• Start developing the reader's own MAP as a personal guide in crisis work by undertaking a path of introspection.
• Recognize and uphold the use of the therapeutic power of play and play therapy in crisis settings.

Beyond the Clouds is key reading for students and experienced professionals in the field of humanitarian work and international cooperation who wish to grasp the potential of play and play therapy in crisis contexts, as well as students and professionals from the world of play therapy and creative therapies who are interested in crisis work.

"Beautifully blending science and theory, Mochi is a master storyteller who, with his vast experience, takes us on his personal journey working in crises intervention. In this highly accessible volume, enhanced by his use of metaphor and stories, Mochi outlines core dimensions of best practices in crisis intervention. A must read-I could not put it down!"
-- Sue C. Bratton, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, Professor Emerita and Director Emerita, Center for Play Therapy, University of North Texas

"Beyond the Clouds is a beautiful gift, an inspiration, and a call to action. The premise of pausing long enough to process the reciprocity between those of us who want to be of service and those who are recipients is profound. Claudio is purposeful in his work, and he shares what he has learned with great generosity and humility. It transported me; I highly recommend it!"
-- Eliana Gil, Ph.D., Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery & Education, Fairfax, Virginia

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Table of Figures
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 - Take Off
• Chapter 2 - In the Clouds
• Chapter 3 - A MAP is Always a Treasure
• Chapter 4 - When Falling in Love is Not Convenient
• Chapter 5 - Three Dimensions of a Good Practice
• Chapter 6 - Coping with the Present While Building for the Future
• Chapter 7 - Three Levels of Intervention Involving Play
• Chapter 8 - Pro Per Professional
• Chapter 9 - Self-Care: Before, During and After a Crisis Intervention
• Chapter 10 - The Painter
• Chapter 11 - Beyond the Clouds
• Conclusion ~ Landing
• References
• About the Author
• Index