Play therapy is a therapeutic approach primarily for children aged 2 to 12 that utilizes play as a medium for communication and emotional expression to address psychosocial challenges. The method has historical roots in psychoanalysis, with various studies showcasing its effectiveness in mitigating behavioral issues and emotional distress among children. Key principles include fostering a warm, non-directive relationship between therapist and child, allowing the child to explore and resolve their issues at their own pace.

1. Play Therapy
Lecture no 27
Instructor: Hafiza Saba Javaid
Department Applied Psychology
Govt.College Women University Faisalabad

2. Introduction:
Play therapy is a form of counseling or psychotherapy that uses play
to communicate with and help people, especially children to prevent
or resolve psychosocial challenges.
Play is a child’s natural medium to learn, communicate and explore
their world.
Play therapy allows children to explore feelings and make sense of
and recover from difficult life experiences in a safe and trusting
environment.
See notes

3. Con….
 It is primarily non-verbal approach.
 Age range of mostly children’s are 2 to 12 But it vary for example cognitive or
developmental delay may participate in play therapy at an older chronological
age.
 Time of session 30 to 50 minutes but vary
 Mild issues may improve in 6 to 12 session, for example minor behavioral
issues, slow learner etc…
 complex issues may require up to 40 to 80 sessions, for example severe
intellectual disability, ADHD, Autisum
 See notes

4. Historical Background
 Early 1900s ,Melanie Klein and Anna Freud included play in their
psychoanalytic treatment of children
 Klein (1961 , 1987) stipulated that a child’s spontaneous play was a substitute
for the free association used within adult psychoanalysis.
 Axline (1971) developed a new therapeutic approach for working with children
– non directive Play Therapy
 Utilizing the person centered theoretical foundations, Axline formulated a clear
and concise play therapy.
 See notes

5. Theoretical Basis of Play Therapy
Play therapy is based upon three critical theoretical principles:
 Actualization: Human are motivated by an innate tendency to develop
constructive and healthy capacities.
 The Need for Positive Regard: All people require warmth, respect and
acceptance from others, especially from ‘significant others’ .
 Play as Communication: Children use play as their primary medium of
communication. Play is a format for children’s emotions, thoughts, values and
perception.

6. Research in Play Therapy
 From 1942 to the present, Play Therapy research has been conducted to investigate a range
of issues, including clinical effectiveness, parental involvement and the analysis of specific
techniques. To illustrate the body of Play Therapy Research, four research studies are
summarised as follows:
 Kot (1995) investigated the effectiveness of non-directive Play Therapy with child witnesses
of domestic violence. Outcome measures were compared against a control group and
evaluated using the Joseph Pre-School and Primary Self-Concept Screening Test, Child
Behaviour Check List and Children’s Play Sessions Behaviour Rating Scale. Children in the
treatment group were found to have significantly reduced externalizing behaviour problems
and significant reduction in their total behaviour problems. This study used a total of 20
subjects with ages ranging from 3 years to 10 years.
 Springer et al (1992) investigated the effectiveness of Play Therapy and Art Therapy with
children identified as having one parent suffering from alcohol or drug dependency. A total of
132 subjects were used with ages ranging from 7 years to 17 years. Results indicated
subjects within the treatment groups experienced significant improvements in depression,
hyperactivity and disruptive behaviour (identified by Child Behaviour Check List).

7. Research References
 Dogra, A., & Veeraraghavan, V. (1994). A study of psychological intervention of
children with aggressive conduct disorder. Ind. Journal of Clinical Psychology,
21, p. 28-32.
 Kot, S. (1995). Intensive play therapy with child witnesses of domestic violence.
Unpublished dissertation, University of North Texas, Denton, TX.
 Ray, D., Bratton, S., Rhine, T., & Jones, L. (2001). The effectiveness of play
therapy: Responding to the critics. International Journal of Play Therapy, 10(1),
p. 85-108.
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play_therapy

8. Principles of play therapy
The therapist must
 Must develop a warm and friendly
relationship with child.
 Accepts the child as she or he is
 Establishes a feeling of permission in
the relationship
 Is alert to recognize the feelings the
child is expressing and reflects these
feelings back in such a manner that
the child gains insight into his/her
behavior.

9. Principles ……
The Therapist
 Maintains a deep respect for the
child's ability to solve his/her
problems and gives the child the
opportunity to do so.
 Does not attempt to direct the child's
action or conversations in any
manner.
The Therapist
 Does not hurry the therapy along
 Only establishes those limitations
necessary to anchor the therapy to
the world of reality and to make the
child aware of his/her responsibility
in the relationship.

10. Play Therapy Is Effective For
Psychological issues, such as shyness, anxiety, stress, poor communication,
grief and loss;
Behavioral problems such as aggression, poor motor co-ordination, self-
harming, autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder;
 Responses to family and relationship problems, such as family violence,
parental separation, attachment disorder, trauma and abuse;
 Educational issues such as poor organizational skills, poor planning and
execution of tasks, poor story comprehension
 Disability including autism, psychosis, sensory impairment and intellectual
impairment.
 2 min

11. Case study
 Case Study in Play therapy and Parenting Counseling - Jenna
 This case study is a composite of several real children I have treated in the
past 7 years. Names have been changed, but the story is based on real events
that actually happened with different children and parents I have worked with.
 Further details see in Notes
 Reference
 https://www.tribecaplaytherapy.com/case-study-david-1

12. Video link
 https://youtu.be/6RkdZDf1jLY 3 min
 https://youtu.be/aWV7UUMddCU 9 min
 https://youtu.be/ppl_6XDCGBk 22 min
 Use this link to learn about play therapy.