Much work has been done on cognitive processes and creativity, but there is another half to the picture of creativity -- the affect half. This book addresses that other half by synthesizing the information that exists about affect and creativity and presenting a new model of the role of affect in the creative process. Current information comes from disparate literatures, research traditions, and theoretical approaches. There is a need in the field for a comprehensive framework for understanding and investigating the role of affect in creativity. The model presented here spells out connections between specific affective and cognitive processes important in creativity, and personality traits associated with creativity.
Identifying common findings and themes in a variety of research studies and descriptions of the creative process, this book integrates child and adult research and the classic psychoanalytic approach to creativity with contemporary social and cognitive psychology. In so doing, it addresses two major questions:
* Is affect an important part of the creative process?
* If it is, then how is affect involved in creative thinking?
In addition, Russ presents her own research program in the area of affect and creativity, and introduces The Affect in Play Scale -- a method of measuring affective expression in children's play -- which can be useful in child psychotherapy and creativity research. Current issues in the creativity area are also discussed, such as artistic versus scientific creativity, adjustment and the creative process, the role of computers in learning about creativity, gender differences in the creative process, and enhancing creativity in home, school, and work settings. Finally, Russ points to future research issues and directions, and discusses alternative research paradigms such as mood-induction methods versus children's play procedures.

Being able to engage with service users and communicate effectively is a fundamental skill identified by the NMC and required of all mental health nurses. The reality is that building rapport and developing therapeutic relationships does not come instinctively for everyone. The authors have responded to this with a book that explains the different communication theories and models and goes on to show students how they work in the real world. Innovative exercises encourage reflection and enable students to practice their developing communication skills as they progress. Throughout the book the authors are focussed on promoting recovery and have put the service user at the centre of the discussion, ensuring that their voice is heard. Key features: - Covers the communication content of the new NMC Standards and Essential Skills Clusters for pre-registration degree-level nursing education - Focussed on promoting recovery and adopts a person-centred approach - Interactive style using realistic scenarios and case studies making theory easy to apply to practice - Includes a chapter co-authored by a service user offering a unique insight.

Much work has been done on cognitive processes and creativity, but there is another half to the picture of creativity -- the affect half. This book addresses that other half by synthesizing the information that exists about affect and creativity and presenting a new model of the role of affect in the creative process. Current information comes from disparate literatures, research traditions, and theoretical approaches. There is a need in the field for a comprehensive framework for understanding and investigating the role of affect in creativity. The model presented here spells out connections between specific affective and cognitive processes important in creativity, and personality traits associated with creativity. Identifying common findings and themes in a variety of research studies and descriptions of the creative process, this book integrates child and adult research and the classic psychoanalytic approach to creativity with contemporary social and cognitive psychology. In so doing, it addresses two major questions: * Is affect an important part of the creative process? * If it is, then how is affect involved in creative thinking? In addition, Russ presents her own research program in the area of affect and creativity, and introduces The Affect in Play Scale -- a method of measuring affective expression in children's play -- which can be useful in child psychotherapy and creativity research. Current issues in the creativity area are also discussed, such as artistic versus scientific creativity, adjustment and the creative process, the role of computers in learning about creativity, gender differences in the creative process, and enhancing creativity in home, school, and work settings. Finally, Russ points to future research issues and directions, and discusses alternative research paradigms such as mood-induction methods versus children's play procedures.

Child psychotherapy is in a state of transition. On the one hand, pretend play is a major tool of therapists who work with children. On the other, a mounting chorus of critics claims that play therapy lacks demonstrated treatment efficacy. These complaints are not invalid. Clinical research has only begun. Extensive studies by developmental researchers have, however, strongly supported the importance of play for children. Much knowledge is being accumulated about the ways in which play is involved in the development of cognitive, affective, and personality processes that are crucial for adaptive functioning. However, there has been a yawning gap between research findings and useful suggestions for practitioners. Play in Child Development and Psychotherapy represents the first effort to bridge the gap and place play therapy on a firmer empirical foundation. Sandra Russ applies sophisticated contemporary understanding of the role of play in child development to the work of mental health professionals who are trying to design intervention and prevention programs that can be empirically evaluated. Never losing sight of the complex problems that face child therapists, she integrates clinical and developmental research and theory into a comprehensive, up-to-date review of current approaches to conceptualizing play and to doing both therapeutic play work with children and the assessment that necessarily precedes and accompanies it.

Child psychotherapy is in a state of transition. On the one hand, pretend play is a major tool of therapists who work with children. On the other, a mounting chorus of critics claims that play therapy lacks demonstrated treatment efficacy. These complaints are not invalid. Clinical research has only begun. Extensive studies by developmental researchers have, however, strongly supported the importance of play for children. Much knowledge is being accumulated about the ways in which play is involved in the development of cognitive, affective, and personality processes that are crucial for adaptive functioning. However, there has been a yawning gap between research findings and useful suggestions for practitioners. Play in Child Development and Psychotherapy represents the first effort to bridge the gap and place play therapy on a firmer empirical foundation. Sandra Russ applies sophisticated contemporary understanding of the role of play in child development to the work of mental health professionals who are trying to design intervention and prevention programs that can be empirically evaluated. Never losing sight of the complex problems that face child therapists, she integrates clinical and developmental research and theory into a comprehensive, up-to-date review of current approaches to conceptualizing play and to doing both therapeutic play work with children and the assessment that necessarily precedes and accompanies it.

Assessment is an essential part of mental-health nursing and as such a core learning requirement for pre-registration nursing students. Getting assessment right is essential for the nursing student in order for them to become an effective practitioner. Many books on assessment are very theoretical. This is a practical, hands-on guide to the assessment process, underpinned by the latest evidence. The book explains the core principles through running case studies, so that readers can see how each decision they make impacts on the person in their care. Key features: Assessment principles are applied across a variety of modern nursing settings that you may find yourself working in as a registered nurse Each chapter is linked to the relevant NMC standards and Essential Skills Clusters so you know you are meeting the professional requirements Activities throughout help you to think critically and develop essential graduate skills.

In order to give high quality care it is essential that mental health nurses have a solid grasp of the most common therapies and interventions used in mental healthcare. If nurses understand what the various interventions involve then they will be much better equipped to support patients through their recovery. This is a practical, engaging introduction to the major psychosocial interventions that demonstrates to students what the interventions are, why they are important and how they can be used.

Key features

- Interactive approach through realistic case studies that show how interventions can work to promote recovery

- A patient centred approach considers the social as well as psychological aspects of mental healthcare

- Each chapter is mapped to the relevant NMC standards and Essential Skills Clusters so that readers can see how they are meeting their professional requirements

- Activities throughout challenge the reader to think critically and develop graduate skills

Being able to engage with service users and communicate effectively is a fundamental skill identified by the NMC and required of all mental health nurses. The reality is that building rapport and developing therapeutic relationships does not come instinctively for everyone. The authors have responded to this with a book that explains the different communication theories and models and goes on to show students how they work in the real world. Innovative exercises encourage reflection and enable students to practice their developing communication skills as they progress. Throughout the book the authors are focussed on promoting recovery and have put the service user at the centre of the discussion, ensuring that their voice is heard. Key features: - Covers the communication content of the new NMC Standards and Essential Skills Clusters for pre-registration degree-level nursing education - Focussed on promoting recovery and adopts a person-centred approach - Interactive style using realistic scenarios and case studies making theory easy to apply to practice - Includes a chapter co-authored by a service user offering a unique insight.

Assessment is an essential part of mental-health nursing and as such a core learning requirement for pre-registration nursing students. Getting assessment right is essential for the nursing student in order for them to become an effective practitioner. Many books on assessment are very theoretical. This is a practical, hands-on guide to the assessment process, underpinned by the latest evidence. The book explains the core principles through running case studies, so that readers can see how each decision they make impacts on the person in their care. Key features: Assessment principles are applied across a variety of modern nursing settings that you may find yourself working in as a registered nurse Each chapter is linked to the relevant NMC standards and Essential Skills Clusters so you know you are meeting the professional requirements Activities throughout help you to think critically and develop essential graduate skills.