Kamratkompassen

 

Kamratkompassen is a hands-on approach, based on existing methods, to help the child develop their mentalizing ability and their language skills. This is accomplished by systematically reflecting on different recorded scenarios with the child. The program is based on the latest research concerning mentalization and its development.

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Kamratkompassen is a swedish title and can be translated as "The Friend Compass" in english.

 

The manual is constructed so that the reader first gets a theoretical background and instructions. Each session is then presented in detail, with questions suitable for each session. Kamratkompassen consists of three parts; 1) A short breathing exercise, 2) Scenarios discussed with the child, 3) Paired Reading, which is a reading intervention between parent and child. The Paired Reading part is done by the parents in their home. At the same time, the therapist sees the child for the therapeutical interventions in Kamratkompassen. Each session lasts approximately 20 minutes due to the child's often limited concentration span. Kamratkompassen is designed to be 13 sessions long. However, there are more scenarios to choose from to fit each individual child.   

 

If you're interested and want to know more about mentalization, here is some suggested reading:

 

Allen, J. G. & Fonagy, P. (2006). Handbook of Mentalization-Based Treatment. West Sussex, England: Jon Wiley and Sons, ltd.

 

Anderson, V. & Beauchamp, M. H. (2012). Developmental Social Neuroscience and Childhood Brain Insult- Theory and Practice. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

 

Bateman, A. & Fonagy, P. (2012). Handbook of Mentalizing in Mental Health Practice. Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Publishing Inc.

 

Goleman, D. (1995). Känslans Intelligens. USA: Brockman, Inc.

 

Midgley, N. & Vrouva, I. (2012). Minding the Child: Mentalization-Based Interventions with Children, Young People and their Families. East Sussex, England: Routledge