Our Kids' Stories

Pictures from Holding Therapy

by S. age 5

These pictures were drawn by a 5 year old who had been adopted from China at 8 months of age. She developed signs of attachment problems by age three, becoming hyperactive, very controlling and possessive of her mother, and violent towards her older sister. Finally, a few months before she turned 5, she was diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder, and her mother began
Holding Therapy. Around her fifth birthday, the floodwaters of her trauma broke, and the Holding Times became very intense, daily sessions. Immediately afterwards, she would demand paper and start drawing and drawing, day after day, until she worked through the issues of her
abandonment.

The mother is leaving the baby forever and ever, and she is wondering if the nurse will pick her up and take her into the orphanage. She's hoping she will have a baby boy.

The baby is sleeping and she doesn't know her mother has left her. She's left her forever and ever, but she still loves her.

1