Bear Therapy Martha (Marti) Barham, R.N., Ph.D.
Home Page Office Location Links Dr. Barham's Background Books Article Excerpts by Dr. Barham	Webster defines a friend as a person one knows well, is on the same side in a struggle and is not an enemy or a foe. Let us add always available, trustworthy and will never betray. The sexually abused child has not known the above to be consistent and therefore all persons become suspect. Sexual abuse is a subject we see all too often addressed in the newspaper, magazines or on television. The small child's need for comfort, after such an experience is readily recognized and our response is usually immediate. We offer physical comfort, safety and often a toy, representing a friend, perhaps a teddy bear. Sexual abuse within the family often involves pre-teen and adolescents. The needs remain the same. The age of toys appears to have passed, but the desire for what the teddy bear represents remains. In fact, this inner longing has increased because of the lack that exists, the basic feeling of security is tenuous. Counseling the adolescent is a challenge. They will reach out to that which is not threatening or risky. Sexually abused adolescents are among the most difficult victims to reach and motivate to initiate change. The trust level is very low, self-esteem is poor and the feeling of belonging is almost non¬existent. Often the therapeutic process has been ongoing for some time before the adolescent will make their need for love and acceptance known. The Bear symbol is frequently seen in the drawings or selected in sand play by abused individuals. It is the opinion of this therapist that the Bear has for all of us happy memories; the story of the three bears, cartoon bear characters and the most trusted of all friends, the teddy bear of childhood. Perhaps, it symbolizes trust, integrity, safety and unconditional love. One therapeutic approach utilizing this information, I have named Adopt-a-Friend. It is an opportunity to experience hope and tangible support. The teenager is able to initiate a procedure to adopt, love, and care for someone or something that needs their love and care, something that can never be taken away. Only at the time they express interest in the adoption procedure are the legal papers finalized. Each prospective parent must select prior to adoption a name for their friend, determine the sex and the age. This allows the client to identify with the bear in a very personal way. This act of interest and independence allows an opportunity for the therapist to follow up and communicate on subjects of care, love and responsibility. The individual has reached out to that which is non-threatening or risky. An assessment of bear therapy indicates that it appears to reinforce the rapport between therapist and client. Bear Therapy provides a special someone with whom one can share BEARified secrets, BEAR facts and with a BEARy special friend to BEAR future dreams.                                                Top of Page  /  Home Page