'THE YEAR IN REVIEW'

Dr. Gil and Dr. Shaw co-authored a book on working with children with sexual behavior problems which was published this year through Guilford Press. We were proud and excited to do a book-signing and an Open House we hosted in December of 2013. In addition, Elizabeth Konrath, Myriam Goldin, Jennifer Shaw and Heather McTaggart Bryan co-authored a chapter on Integrated Play Therapy for a book edited by Crenshaw and Stewart expected to be out in early 2014.  

Professional Friendships: Unique and Rewarding

I have found it consistently difficult to define and explain "work friendships." They appear to be in a category all their own. These are friendships built over the years, with memorably "moments" of shared passion. Case in point: I met Garry Landreth a million and one years ago. We got to know each other first at Board meetings, then in after-Board meeting dinners, then over breakfasts, and lunches. He then invited me to come speak at University of Texas, which I was really surprised about because I was not then, and I'm not now, primarily a child-centered play therapist. I thought it magnanimous of him to invite me to speak on different types of play therapy that were more directive and integrated. And he sat through them, which caused me no lack of stress!!! Over the years, I have seen Garry at most of the APT conferences, or other such conferences. I have gotten to know him over scrambled eggs and orange juice while we discussed all things play therapy and share our professional focus.  

Ours was not a friendship built at school, pouring over homework, or on a tennis or softball team. We did not meet as young parents to share stories of our kids. We met because we do similar work and regard our work as highly important and useful. Garry is one of my "work relationships," and I don't see him for dinner at my home, and I don't know where he lives and what kind of other life activities he loves. But I love him just the same, and I feel close to him every time I see him, as if time had stood still.

Work relationships are unique that way and we all have them. We experience events such as co-presenting, answering audience questions, discussing power points, and from giving each other honest feedback. In my life, my work relationships are at a par with my other very intimate personal relationships but the boundaries seem different and the amount of time spent together is limited in quantity but not quality....Read more from Dr. Gil