This document provides information about play therapy for children who have experienced trauma. It discusses what trauma is, how children typically react to trauma depending on developmental level and other factors, and common types of childhood trauma. The key points of play therapy are explained, including that play is a child's language and play therapy allows children to express themselves non-verbally. The document outlines important considerations for play therapy sessions, such as developing a warm relationship with the child and following their lead. Several play therapy games and activities are described that can help children process trauma experiences, regulate emotions, and build coping skills.

1. Post Traumatic Incident of (21st April 2019 Easter Blasts)
Working with Children –
Intervention through Play Therapy
Training session for Counselor
@ Safa Counseling Center
On 02/06/2019
Mrs. Thahir Noorrul Isra
Rehabilitation Counselor (OfR) & visiting lecture (NISD)
M.Phil.r (Psy. SW) , M.S.W (M&P) & BA (Pera)
Dip: Psy. Counseling & HR.
Reg: A&NZ-7173

2. What is trauma?
Trauma is the emotional, psychological and physiological residue (vr;rk;) left over
from heightened stress that accompanies experience of threat, violence and life
changing events
Source: Australian Childhood Foundation, Making Space for Learning: Trauma Informed Practice in Schools, 2010,
A more overwhelming event than a person would ordinarily be expected to
encounter
Source: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,

3. How do children react following trauma?
Every child reacts to trauma differently.
Reaction will depend on:
 Developmental level
 Premorbid functioning (pre trauma life)
 Previous life experiences
 Level of exposure to the trauma
 Parental reactions
 Subsequent changes in living situation
The majority of children are resilient (tpupjpwd;)

4. Type of trauma
 Neglect
 Physical abuse
 Sexual abuse
 Traumatic grief
 Refugee and war zone trauma

5. Children who experience horrible external events
may experience emotional harm or psychic trauma.
Left untreated, all but the mildest of childhood
trauma can have an impact on the child
The Effect of Trauma on Children

6. RESPONSE TO
TRAUMA
FIGHT, FLIGHT & FREEZE

7. Intervention
Learning objective
 recognize the impact of trauma, support children
experiencing traumatic stress reactions and try to
cope with day to day life evens.
 Understand important components of play therapy.

8. Thinks to consider:
 Develops a warm, friendly relationship
with the child (bring ice breaks)
 Accepts the child exactly as he/she is.
 Establishes a feeling of permissiveness
(Nghf tpLtJ) in the relationship.
 Is alert to recognize the feelings the
child is expressing and reflects those
feelings back to him so he gains
insight into his behaviors.

9. Thinks to consider: cont….
 Does not attempt to direct the child’s actions
or conversation in any manner. The child
leads the way; we follow
 Does not attempt to hurry the process. It is
a gradual (gbg;gbahf)process
 We create an environment where the child
can heal.
 This can be frustrating to others because
they are looking for a fast fix.

10. What can I do?
 Make sure the trauma has stopped
 Begin to build a relationship, by being honest, reliable and doing what
you say you will do
 Understand trauma
 Use boundaries and logical consequences
 Stay calm and well-regulated − even as you set limits on aggression −
to avoid power battles
 Co-regulate with the child: use your calm to soothe and help them calm
 Use discipline without shaming
 Engage with family members and cares.

11. Why Play (therapy) getting important ?
Play is universal
Play is the way children learn
Play is essential to healthy development
Children communicate through play
Play is the concrete expression of the child and is the child’s way of
coping with his or her world (Landreth, 2002.)
play is seen as the child’s language
Play can be used as a medium within a counseling session to bring
ease to any aged child
Adults talk out their emotions; Children play out their emotions.
Play becomes the language in which children seek expression
Play Therapy is child-centered, in which play is the primary
medium and speech is the secondary medium.“ (British
Association of Play Therapy)

12. What is play ( therapy) ?
An approach to counseling young
children in which the counselor uses
toys,, art supplies, games, and other
play media to communicate with clients
using the “language” of child – the
“language of play.” (Landreth)

13. Out come of play ( therapy)
Self expression
Direct and Indirect Teaching
Abreaction (mOj;jg;gl;l fUj;J)
Stress Inoculation (fhuzp)
Catharsis (Mo;e;j czu;r;rp)
Positive Emotion
Attachment and Relationship
Enhancement
Empathy
Power/Control
Competence (<L nra;) and Self Control
Sense of Self
Creative Problem Solving
Fantasy Compensation
Reality Testing
Behavioral Rehearsal (jLg;G)
Rapport Building
Schaefer (1999.)

14. Beginning of play ( therapy)
Keep in mind 8 Principles of play therapy (Axline’s)
 Therapist establishes a friendly relationship
 Accepts the child as he is
 Creates a permissive relationship; child has freedom of
expression
 Validates (acknowledge and reflect) child’s feelings
 Responsibility for decisions and change is left mostly to
the child
 Child directs the therapeutic process; therapist follows
 Therapeutic interaction is not rushed
 Limits are set only when necessary for child’s outcomes

15. play ( therapy)
Breathing exercises
 Bubble breath
 Flower and Candle breath
Game -01

16. play ( therapy) cont….
Game -02
Releasing from anger
Past your anger on the anger wall

17. play ( therapy) cont….
Game -03
Away from worries
Deposit your worries in a jar

18. play ( therapy) cont….
Game -04
Learn crisis and coping
Snakes and ladders

19. play ( therapy) cont….
Game -04
Art

20. At the end
Heal Your self
Do your routine
Thinks will change when time comes
Thank you.