From Chaos to Coherence: Psychotherapy with a Little Boy with ADHD

'...I am flooded with warmth for this little expert on the art of living, who has just realised that even he has the possibility to live a long life. My interpretation is that he trusts he will get the time he needs in therapy to reach, first adulthood, and, then, old age. Right now he believes he will continue to be in therapy for the rest of his life. He cannot imagine that it is going to come to an end. However, I have started to think about when we will have to part and I am not looking forward to it...'

From Chaos to Coherence is the true story, told in everyday language, of the adopted boy Douglas and his journey towards adulthood with the help of psychotherapy.

Douglas has severe psychic, physical and social handicaps and is also diagnosed with ADHD. He is impulse-governed, aggressive, provocative and unable to interact with other children. He begins psychotherapy at the age of seven and continues weekly sessions for the next seven years.

The reader is invited into the child psychotherapy room to follow the work of Douglas and his therapist, the author Elisabeth Cleve. The therapy can be described as physically intense work that evokes strong emotions in both Douglas and the therapist. We get to learn about their inner feelings, thoughts and actions during the different phases of the treatment.

The story of Douglas captivates the reader and provides an understanding of what is going on inside a troubled little boy. This beautifully written account of successful psychotherapy is painfully honest at times and manages to bring the therapy sessions to life for the reader. From Chaos to Coherence is an important book and vital reading not only for all involved in children's psychotherapy, but for all of us in search of a humane, informative and touching book.