Play therapy is most commonly used with children as a way for them to express their feelings though a self-healing process. Children communicate their knowledge and experiences through play. Therefore play therapy is a vehicle for children to accept themselves and others, as well as helping them with growth, development and social integration.
I recently attended a course on Play Therapy, presented by Reyhana Seedat. This approach is non- directive, and child-centred and largely based on the work of Garry Landreth. He discusses play therapy in detail in his book “play therapy, the art of the relationship”, (2002). The basic premise of this approach is that if a child is provided with the chance to play and speak freely under optimal therapeutic conditions, they will be able to solve their own problems and find their own solutions. This non – directive therapy can be used at any age.
There are a number of basic principles to this approach:
- The therapeutic relationship is primary and must be established at the onset of therapy in order to establish a good rapport
- The child must be accepted unconditionally, and as a result he should be able to express his feelings freely, so that he feels that there is an atmosphere of safety in the therapy situation
- The therapist’s role is to reflect, or mirror the child’s feelings back to him, so that the child’s feelings are being recognised and acknowledged, and he will learn and understand more about his behaviour
The aim of this therapeutic approach is to allow the child to solve his own problems and he is provided with the opportunity and responsibility to make choices. The child leads the way, and the therapist follows, The therapist must not direct the child’s conversation, or play, in any way, and must accept, understand and be sensitive to the child’s world. The child must be made aware of the fact that this is his special time where he determines what will be done in the sessions. Therapy will be a gradual process. The child is seen as unique and worthy of respect, as well as capable of self-growth. If the child chooses to remain silent in the sessions, he is able to do so, and his decision needs to be respected.
This play therapy process teaches the child self-control and self-direction, to respect themselves, to take responsibility and accept themselves. They also learn through this process that any feelings that they may have are acceptable. One of the primary tenants of the play therapy approach is that the therapist must have self-understanding, and self-insight themselves. It is also extremely important for the therapist to understand how they feel about the child, (i.e. there should be a positive relationship with the child, as well as trust between the therapist and the child).
Further aspects that need to be considered are the playroom and toys that the child will be exposed to. The atmosphere in the play room has to be conducive to the therapy, and therefore all material used must be carefully selected. The therapeutic intervention starts with the initial encounter in the waiting room. The child-centred therapist needs to understand the dynamics of the child’s world and reflect on what he is doing or saying during the sessions with sensitivity and acceptance, which will in turn build up the child’s self-esteem. The therapist does not praise the child during the therapy sessions, or make value judgments, but rather validates the child. The therapist will use statements rather than ask questions. The child needs time to feel safe, understood and accepted by the therapist and must not be rushed at any stage. Certain boundaries or consistent limit setting need to be used during the therapeutic interactions – limits provide structure, and security for the child, e.g. for aggressive behaviour. However, it is important that these limits are set so that the child’s feelings are still acknowledged but at the same time the limits are communicated – alternatives are provided.
When therapy is terminated, the child should be included in the decisions made. There are various criteria to consider when deciding on when and how to end the relationship.
References:
-Landreth, G.L ., “Play Therapy, The Art of the Relationship”, 2nd Ed., Brunner-Routledge, East Sussex, 2002
-Oaklander, V., “Windows to our children”, Real People Press, Moab Utah, 1974
–http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play_therapy
-Notes provided by Reyhana Seedat, Education Unlimited, For Play Therapy, Learningshop
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