Dr. Madeleine De Little
1953 - 2024
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Madeleine Mary DeLittle, who died peacefully surrounded by her family January 16, 2024, at the age of 70.
In her professional life as Dr. DeLittle, Madeleine worked with children and adults for 40 years as a teacher, community worker, recreation leader, and counsellor. She held professional designations as a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, a Master Therapeutic Counsellor; a Registered Clinical Supervisor; and Certified Clinical Counsellor. She designed and then went on to teach Neuroscience and the Satir Model in the Sand Tray (NSST) to hundreds of practicing therapists, both nationally and internationally in China, Thailand, Singapore, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Madeleine was the Research Chair for the Satir Institute of the Pacific from 2017 to 2024, a faculty member of the Banmen Satir China Management Center, and an international speaker.
A lifelong student, Madeleine received a Bachelor of Education from London University in 1975, a Master of Science in Social Policy in 1985, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Simon Fraser University in 2017, as well as many, many additional certificates from the many trainings she took over the years. She wrote the book “Where Words Can’t Reach: Neuroscience and the Satir Model in the Sand Tray” (2019) and published in academic journals. In 2021, Madeleine was the recipient of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Counsellor Practitioner Award.
Tributes to Madeleine have come in from all over the world since her death, and speak to the continuing influence she has in the field of psychotherapy. She left us knowing that her mission to promote NSST developed roots and will keep growing. During her last days, visitors shared memories and messages with Madeleine, variations of: “Your beautiful heart can be filled with hope for others and for the world because your contribution is not just to psychotherapy but to humanity. Simply, you have shown the world how to be.”
A celebration of life will be held at 23253 Francis Avenue, Langley Township on Saturday, July 13 2024 at 1:00 pm. Flowers and other gifts are gratefully declined, but stories and songs are very welcome.
Introduction to NSST
We work to help people overcome the impact of trauma, worries, fears, sadness, and confusion. In our practice, we use play therapy in particular using the sand tray. In play therapy, the child is able to use their imaginations to create new possibilities of being different. The research reviewed by Berk, Mann & Ogan, (2006) and Hirsh-Pasek, Golinkoff, Berk, & Singer (2009) suggest that make-believe games are forerunners of the important capacity for forms of self-regulation including reduced aggression, delay of gratification, civility, and empathy. When children use toys to introduce possible scenarios, the symbolism of multiple perspectives occurs naturally. Taking on different roles allows children the unique opportunity to learn social skills such as communication, problem-solving, and empathy (Hughes, 1999).
Play is the natural work of children and through their play they can reduce their defensive behaviours such as avoiding school, arguing, tantrums, needing complete control over their environment etc. They can then be free to be more playful, laugh more, and connect better with others in a positive way.
Play is not just for children. Adults and youth also can benefit from expressive therapy by portraying their confusion and pain in the sand tray. This therapy model is a revolutionary way of working in the sand tray with roots in traditional sand tray work and the Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy and the latest neuroscience of safety in attachment.
About
Counselling for children, youth, adults and their families undergoing any changes in their lives which have caused pain or confusion.
NSST is A counselling modality dedicated to assisting individuals change the impact of their negative experiences through working through metaphor in the sand tray.
Looking for Training?
Dr. DeLittle’s legacy lives on. We offer training for counsellors in Neuroscience and the Satir Model in the Sand Tray!
“Changing the way we feel, and the way we see ourself and the world starts with how we have been keeping secure and safe. When we begin to appreciate how we needed to keep safe and all the gifts it gave us, then transformation is quick, profound, and lasting.
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