Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses play to communicate with and help children, especially those aged 3 to 11, prevent or resolve psychosocial issues. The goals of play therapy include enhancing a child's self-control, self-concept, and relationships with adults. There are two main types: directive play therapy, where the therapist guides discussion of topics and sometimes participates in play; and non-directive therapy, where the child leads free play and the therapist later interprets themes. Common toys and activities include dolls, puppets, sand trays, and art for expressing feelings.

1. PLAY THERAPY

2. DEFINITION
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. It 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 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.

4. GOALS OF PLAY THERAPY
Enhance child’s self control, self-concept, and self-efficacy.
Help child become aware of his or her feelings.
Learn and practice self-control and alternative behaviors.
Develop capacity to trust adults.
Develop capacity to relate to an adult in an open, positive and
caring manner.

5. TYPES OF PLAY THERAPY
DIRECTIVE PLAY THERAPY
NON DIRECTIVE PLAY THERAPY

6. DIRECTIVE PLAY THERAPY
In directive play therapy, the therapist often asks the child
questions throughout the session
encourages him to talk more about certain topics
participates in activities with the child.
Directive therapy is seen as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(CBT), focusing on behavior and conscious actions.

7. DIRECTIVE SAND THERAPY
 Directive therapy is often use
with trauma victims.
 Directed sand tray therapy is more commonly used with trauma victims.
 Therapists may ask clients questions about their
sand tray
 suggest them to change the sand tray,
 ask them to elaborate on why they chose particular objects to put in the tray,
and on rare occasions, change the sand tray themselves.

8. COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL PLAY
THERAPY
Roger Phillips, in the early 1980s, was one of the first to suggest
that combining aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy with play
interventions.
Cognitive behavioral play therapy was then developed to be used
with very young children between two and six years of age.
because children may not have the developed cognitive abilities
necessary for participation in straight cognitive therapy
specific toys such as dolls and stuffed animals may be used to
model particular cognitive strategies, such as effective coping
mechanisms and problem-solving skills

9. NON DIRECTIVE PLAY THERAPY
Also called client-centered and unstructured play therapy.
In non-directive therapy, the therapist generally just watches
the child, and then interprets the results of the activity, like a
drawing.
In this the child is in the lead instead of the play therapist or the
clinician.

10. given the chance to speak and play freely under optimal
therapeutic conditions.
troubled children and young people will be able to resolve their
own problems and work toward their own solutions.
Using toys in non-directive play therapy with children is another
common method therapists employ

11. children will be better able to express their feelings toward
themselves and their environment through play with toys than
through verbalization of their feelings.
Through these actions child may experience catharsis
Non-directive therapy is often categorized as psychodynamic theory.
It focuses on unconscious actions and beliefs.
non-directive therapy may be used to help with behavioral
problems.

12. PARENT CHILD PLAY THERAPY
One of the first parent/child play therapy approaches
developed was Filial Therapy
in which parents are trained to facilitate nondirective play
therapy sessions with their own children.
One method is to provide parents/carers with basic play therapy
skills to use at home

13. Sand Tray
Imaginative Play
Puppet Play
Art/Crafts

14. TOYS NEEDED FOR PLAY THERAPY
Scarytoys
Client’s can use these to deal with fears Plastic monsters, snakes, bugs,
bears, lions
NurturingToys
Client’s can use these to play out family relationships and events
Doll house, dolls, puppets, baby dolls, baby doll
supplies, kitchen set

15. AggressiveT
oys
Clients use these to express anger and aggression and explore power and
control issues
Guns, play knives, hammer and nails, toy soldiers,
punching bag.
ExpressiveToys
Clients use these to explore relationships, express
feelings, deal with problem/solution
Crayons, paper, scissors, paint, craft items.

16. ACTIVITIES
Therapists also commonly encourage children to use puppets or toys
that represent themselves to talk, since they often find it easier to
face uncomfortable topics if they can distance themselves

17. BLOWING BUBLES
In this activity, the therapist and the child blow bubbles together,
and the child learns to take deep, slow breaths
just as if he were blowing a big bubble when he feels anxious.
Used when child is anxious.

18. ROLE OF A THERAPIST
Therapist become the child friend.
Therapist creates a safe environment in which the child can get in
touch with who he is, what he is feeling, thinking, wishing and
dreaming.
To give the special time.
To understand their issues and to explore their abilities.