A world authority on play therapy,
Virginia M.
Written by Axlin
A touching story based on a true story

Until I open the closed door of my heart and come out into the world,
The courage and dazzling growth of a five-year-old!

Deeps, a classic in the field of child psychology that has long been loved, is a book that depicts the process of a child who had been locked in his own world with his heart closed off, discovering his self through play therapy.
The main character, Dips, behaves so differently from other children his age that he is mistaken for autistic.
They may sit alone in the corner of the classroom and stare blankly, crawl around on the classroom floor, or suddenly yell or get angry, showing signs of instability.
Dr. Axlin, who observed the behavior of such dips, said, "Children cannot express themselves through language alone," and listened to the child's inner story through play.
It is about allowing children to freely express themselves through various toys and looking into their emotional wounds during the process of play.


The process sometimes feels long and distant.
Nevertheless, the reason why Dips' story is so touching is because the child's transformation feels like watching my own childhood or my child's growth.
Above all, the process of a child changing through play therapy is vividly recorded, making it interesting to read throughout.
Through this book, we can learn how important it is to respect children as they are and what the true role of parents is in helping children grow.
It will be helpful to parents raising children like Dips, students studying child psychology, and leaders alike.
Furthermore, we will be able to look at and understand children like Deeps, who are taking steps forward into the world, with a broader mind.

In response to my reply, the child awkwardly wiped his tear-stained face.
Dips knew it was time to go back.
At that time, it was not difficult to hug Deeps tightly and comfort him, and to express affection and sympathy by extending the time.
But why give Dips another emotional challenge? No matter how much my love and compassion might make him feel, he ultimately has to go home.
Even if your parents don't treat you warmly, you shouldn't avoid the cold reality of having to return home.
Deeps must cultivate the strength to navigate the world around them, and this inner strength must come from deep within them, realizing that they can navigate no matter what their circumstances may be.

---From "Teacher A, Please Help Me"

─I'm not going home, I'm not going home, I don't want to go home.
I don't want to go home.

─I know what you're thinking, teacher.

Children find security when they have predictable, consistent, and realistic limits set.
I wanted to show Deeps that emotions and actions are different.
But I felt like I had a little bit of an epiphany.
I also wanted him to know that this one hour today is only a small part of the time Dips lives, and that it cannot and should not take precedence over other relationships or experiences, and that the other times Dips spends throughout the week are just as important.

---From "I Don't Want to Go Home"

In my opinion, the value of psychotherapy, such as play therapy, lies in helping people experience themselves as competent and responsible people in interpersonal relationships.
I want to make sure that Deeps realizes the importance of these two truths when interacting with people.
That no one in the world knows one's inner world better than oneself, and that a sense of responsible freedom grows and develops within oneself...

Before a child can understand the personhood, rights, and individuality of others, he or she must first understand himself or herself and learn how to have self-esteem and self-respect.
---From "Washing the Bottle"

Deeps gently beat his chest and said, “Me, me, me…” as he circled the playroom before stopping in front of me.
And he smiled brightly and happily.
─I'm deep.
I can do anything.
I like dips.
I like myself.
Dips started playing in the water.
I put the bottle in the sink and turned on the water, so the water splashed all over the room.
Dips jumped back and laughed cheerfully.
---From "Mom! I like you"

Just as bright sunlight is softened by shade, life becomes deeper and more beautiful only after enduring some storms.
An experience that is not accompanied by disappointment, sadness, or intense emotion is a dry experience that lacks challenge and variety.
Meanwhile, when we experience our convictions, beliefs, and hopes being realized before our eyes, we gain more inner strength, courage, and stability.
We are 'subjects of personality' formed through the process of growing and developing experiences, relationships, thoughts, and emotions.
The sum total of everything that forms our lives becomes ‘myself.’

---From "With a True Will to Take Action"