We are pleased to announce that Supporting Elvis Children: Stepping Out of a Deceased Sibling’s Shadow by Ard Nieuwenbroek, Judith Kimenai, and Tanya Defferary is now available in English, published by ACCO (2026). The book was first published in Dutch in 2023.
The loss of a child within a family and its impact on the family system is often carried in silence – unseen, unresolved, and rarely spoken about. This book offers a revealing insight into the lives of people who grew up in this unique position: Elvis Children. The term is inspired by the life story of Elvis Presley, whose twin brother died at birth, and who is said to have felt compelled to live for two.
Grounded in a contextual therapy approach, the book explores the risk factors faced by both young and adult Elvis Children. First-hand accounts illuminate these dynamics, and the book provides clear, practical guidance for professionals working with Elvis Children in healthcare and education.
The authors bring a rich variety of backgrounds to this work. Ard Nieuwenbroek is a trainer, therapist, and supervisor with a background in social pedagogy and contextual therapy. Judith Kimenai is a writer and contextual practitioner with extensive experience in secondary education. Tanya Defferary is a counselling psychologist based in South Africa, with a DPhil in Psychology and a particular interest in intergenerational patterns and relational healing.
Supporting Elvis Children is available through ACCO » or Amazon »
