This book seeks to facilitate an understanding of developmental psychopathology in childhood and early adolescence for beginning mental health professionals and university educators, through the lens of various fairytale characters. Numerous psychodynamic theories will be illustrated by analysing and understanding each case vignette/fairytale character’s unique individuality. It is a diverse, colourful journey which explores the darkness, pain and adversity that children and young adolescents face growing up. Understanding of the character’s trials and tribulations, the tremendous resilience demonstrated when enduring abandonment, neglect and abuse are thoroughly illustrated. For each chapter, the demographic background, risk and protector factors, attachment style, etiology of syndrome/disorder, diagnosis and assessment and interventions are examined.

Alessandra Sax holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and child development from Hampshire College (USA) and graduated from New York University (USA) with a clinical master’s degree in clinical social work. She completed her doctoral degree in counseling psychology and supervision in counselor education at Argosy University (USA). From 2006 until 2019, she held various counselor and leadership roles at the American Community Schools of Athens. During 2017-2022, Dr. Sax was the Co-Founder and Director of Learning and Wellness Center; a holistic therapeutic center for children, adolescents and adults. From 2019-2023 she was the Director of the Psychology Department, including the University Counseling Center at the Hellenic American University and is an Associate Professor of Psychology. She has been a peer reviewer for several international journals and has published book chapters and articles, and regularly presents her clinical work and research at international conferences. She is a member of EB-ACA and ACA, and a Governor Board Member of EB-ACA. Currently, Dr. Sax is a Psychology Faculty Member at the American College of Greece, and continues with her private practice with children, adolescents and adults, along with consulting with international schools as a specialist in her field.