Potter 'therapy' urged for kids
February 7, 2004 at 9:01 AM ET
Geri
The Leaky Cauldron (via Canada.com)
A Canadian psychologist from Edmonton wants teachers to know that Harry Potter therapy
can offer positive role models to students who are angry, depressed or over-anxious about tests.
Neil Mulholland, who works with kids who have extreme behavioural or anxiety issues believes when children replace their negative self-thoughts -- failing tests, experiencing stage fright or going blank during a class presentation -- with positive encouragement from imaginary friends flying over them on Quidditch sticks or sitting beside them as if they were both at Hogwarts school, the students begin to gain confidence in themselves.
"It's an imaging technique. What would that character be saying to you about how to handle the big game or the test tomorrow? ... We have to counter the negative thoughts with a positive spell."