Re-animating vulnerable children’s voices through secondary analysis of their play therapist’s interview narratives

Inclusion of the voice of the child is key to quality research processes focused on their needs and interests. The authors contend that when the voice of the child is unavailable, secondary analysis of data generated with sensitive, highly trained, child-oriented adults may provide a useful way to include aspects of the child’s experiences and views. This study reports an innovative secondary analysis process in which therapy practitioner narratives were used to re-animate the lived experiences and challenges of vulnerable children. The results indicated that attending therapy was experienced as supportive for children; in being able to make choices, in being informed about decisions relating to their current circumstances and future, and the role of attendance at therapy in supporting their needs.