ABSTRACT
One of the most comprehensive understandings of problematic narrative themes is that of Jeffrey Young. Although Young takes a cognitive behavioral approach for addressing themes, his insights apply to problematic foundational stories and life narratives. The general category of worthiness is solidified as the young child enters primary school. School is the environment where one has to interact with peers apart from one’s siblings. In earlier years children do not interact reciprocally with peers; it has been said they engage in “parallel play” where they are immersed in their own games in the presence of other children. In Young’s therapy, he works with the client to identify their primary schemas by using questionnaires, discussion, and some interesting imagery techniques. Young’s imagery is very evocative and a useful assessment as well as entree into therapy.
