Play therapy procedure conclusions .................................................................................

1. PLAY
THERAPY
SUBMITTED BY: MS.NIMISHA CHACKO

2. INTRODUCTION
 Play therapy refers to a method of psychotherapy with
children in which a therapist uses a child's fantasies and the
symbolic meanings of his or her play as a medium for
understanding and communication with the child
 To resolve psychological difficulties and achieve optimal
growth and development. (Association for Play Therapy
Board, March 1997)

3. DEFINITION
Play therapy is the systematic use of a theoretical model to
establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapist
use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve
psychological difficulties and achieve optimal growth and
development. (Association for Play Therapy Board, March 1997)

4. INDICATIONS
 Children dealing with parental conflict, separation
or divorce.
 Traumatized children (sexual, physical or emotional
abuse)
 Children who have been adopted or are in foster
care
 (ADD/ADHD)

5. CONTI…
 Children who have experienced serious accidents or
disasters.
 dealing with issues of loss
 Children who have been hospitalized
 Children who have witnessed domestic violence
 Children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder

6. IMPORTANCE
 Play therapy is generally employed with children aged 3
through 11
 It provides a way for them to express their experiences
and feelings through a natural, self- guided, self-healing
process.
 Children’s experiences and knowledge are often
communicated through play,
 It becomes an important vehicle for them to know and
accept themselves and others.

7. GOAL
 Develop a more positive self-concept
 Assume greater self-responsibility
 Become more self-accepting
 Become more self-directing
 Become more self-reliant

8. CONTI…
 Become more trusting of self
 Experience a feeling of control
 Become sensitive to the process of coping
 Develop an internal source of evaluation
 Engage in self-determined decision making

9. PUPOSES
 Reduces anxiety about traumatic events in
the child life
 Facilitates a child expression of feelings
 Promotes self-confidence and a sense of
competence
 Develops a sense of trust in self and others

10. CONTI…
 Defines healthy boundaries
 Creates or enhances healthy bonding in
relationships
 Enhances creativity and playfulness
 Promotes appropriate behaviour.

11. TYPES
Play therapy can be divided into two
basic types:
1. Non-directive
2. Directive

12. NON DIRECTIVE PLAY
THERAPY
 Non-directive play therapy is a non-intrusive
method in which children are encouraged to
work toward their own solutions to problems
through play.
 It is typically classified as a psychodynamic
therapy.

13. DIRECTIVE PLAY THERAPY
 Directive play therapy is a method that includes
more structure and guidance by the therapist as
children work through emotional and behavioural
difficulties through play.

14. PROCEDURE OF PLAY
THERAPY THE PLAY ROOM
 The necessary elements within the play room are:
the child, the therapist, the relationship formed by
the child and therapist, the play therapy room and
the play room contents.
 The play therapy space is usually a designated
room, set up in a particular and predictable way.
 Within the room, there are a wide range of
expressive tool and toys.

15. PROCEDURE (CONTI..)
 toys including craft materials, dress-ups and masks,
musical instruments, puppets, toy animals, toy
weapons and military characters, superheroes, books,
vehicles, building blocks, a dollhouse and dolls,
balloons and balls and table.
 Therapy room as needing to contain something to
represent everything in the child’s world.
 Gurney (2001) outlined that a range of toys allow a
child to understand that a range of behaviours are
permitted in the playroom.

16. PROCEDURE(CONTI..)
 Toys that support issues of aggression, regression,
independence and mastery are as important as toys
that foster nurturing, acceptance and contentment.
Therapeutic Stages in Play Therapy There are several
stages in play therapy. First stage is Intake interview
first meeting with your child’s play therapist, during
which questions about your child’s early development,
current functioning and presenting problem will asked.
It is very important to be as open and honest as
possible.

17. PROCEDURE (CONTI..)
 This intake interview foundation of the play
therapist’s understanding of both your child’s
difficulties and the treatment plan. pre-treatment
assessment: Depending on the presenting
complaints the therapist may conduct an
assessment. This can be as simple as having you
complete some rating scales and/or your child
completing questionnaires and drawings. the
assessment process provides the play therapist
additional information about your child’s difficulties
and best ways to treat them.

18. PROCEDURE (CONTI..)
 The first few sessions are referred to as the Introduction
phase. During this phase your child will be getting
used to the play therapist, the playroom, and the play
therapy process. The more shy or anxious your child is,
the more difficult this period may be. Tentative
Acceptance: This stage begins after one to several
sessions and is the period when you or your child feels
eager to go to counselling . You are noticing some
positive changes. Your child is excited about
interacting with his or her counsellor and looks forward
to entering the room.

19. PROCEDURE (CONTI..)
 As play therapy begins some changes occur. these
changes are necessary, and may not be easy.
Initially, change makes all of us uncomfortable. We
are trying to behave in ways we are not used to and
we attempts to engage in healthy new behaviours
or attempts to retreat to older, more comfortable
patterns. This is called the Negative Reaction phase.
Some children pass through this phase with virtually
no problems. Growth This is the most important and,
usually the longest, part of the play therapy process

20. PROCEDURE (CONTI..)
 During this phase your child will come to better
understand his or her difficulties, how to best resolve
those difficulties and how to live a much happier and
playful life. Surprisingly, this phase can be a bit difficult
for parents. Termination phase. The final stage of
therapy begins when you and the therapist are
confident that behavioural and emotional functioning
are stable enough to maintain what you and/or your
child has accomplished

21. PROCEDURE (CONTI..)
 This can be both an exciting and difficult time.
the end of therapy is a sign of success, it is also
the ending of the therapeutic relationship.

22. PLAY THERAPY
MATERIALS
 Aggressive Toys
 Clients use these to express anger and aggression and
explore power and control
 Guns, play knives, hammer and nails, toy soldiers,
handcuffs, punching bag
 Expressive Toys

23. PLAY THERAPY
MATERIALS(CONTI…)
 Clients use these to explore relationships,
express feelings, explore problem/ solution,
communicate
 Crayons, paper, scissors, paint, craft items,
telephones, mirror, soft ball
 Pretend/Fantasy Toys
 Clients can use these to explore different roles,
hidden feelings, and alternative behaviours.

24. PLAY THERAPY
MATERIALS(CONTI…)
 Masks, hats, doctor’s kit, zoo and farm animals, building
materials, dress-up clothing, jewellery.
 Mastery Toys.
 Clients can use these to explore sense of confidence,
competence, self-esteem.
 Blocks, chalk board, school supplies, puzzles, books.

25. ADVANTAGES
 Helps overcome resistance to therapy
 Increases communication and socialization
 Strengthens quality attachments, enhance relationships
 Gives a child confidence, and dealing with fears
 Enhance relationship with family

26. DISADVNTAGES
1. Requires long-term commitment
2. Children might not like it
3. Children with disorders respond in an aggressive way
4. Can cause stress and anxiety

27. CONCLUSION
Play therapy can be a beneficial approach for
children, adolescents, and families. It allows children
to enjoy counselling in a way they can understand,
free from stress and the pressure to understand adult
conversation. Counsellors who choose to use this form
of therapy must be properly trained in play therapy.
Counsellors who are not trained in this form of therapy
should make referrals to best benefit the child and the
family.