This book, "I am Octopus" was written after the death of Dr. Violet Oaklander, the creator of the Oaklander model of Play Therapy. Our Play Therapy Community is deeply grateful for her teachings to child therapists around the world. It is through applications of her model, we continue to carry out her greatness.

This book is an application of Dr. Oaklander's work. It is designed to help one strengthen their sense of self through animal analogies. As children explore how the animals' self awareness of strengths and struggles, choices, felt sensation of emotions, and options to regulate their autonomic nervous system, they will undoubtedly engage in some self-reflection, looking inside to understand themselves on a deeper level.

The beginning of this book presents a variety of statements through animal analogies to prepare clients for responding to projection questions about themselves later in the book.

It's important to know that this book is NOT a comprehensive representation of the Oaklander Model of Gestalt Play Therapy for kids. For a more comprehensive, thorough understanding, I urge you to learn as much as possible about the Oaklander Model directly from reading Dr. Oaklander's books and from Dr. Karen Fried through her incredible training programs.