Introduction
This workbook will provide contemporary information for those wishing to learn the basics, as well as the intermediaries of play therapy. A wide population of mental health professionals, teachers and others working with families and children will value this comprehensive book. The manual is applicable to both the well-seasoned and budding child therapists. The text is useful to parents who want to understand a child’s inner emotional world to best help them to work through their struggles.
Why is this workbook necessary?
Those who work with children should be aware that play is essential for good mental health. An intrinsic form of expression for children, play aids in the articulation of thoughts and feelings. It follows that play-based therapy is the natural method of choice for working with children’s psychosocial difficulties. Play therapy works, as it builds on a child’s natural communicative and learning processes. By witnessing how children engage in play, professionals, parents and other helpers can understand a child’s inner emotional world to best help them identify and recover from problems. In fact, research has established play therapy as a statistically viable intervention for children suffering with emotional and behavioral difficulties (Bratton, S., Ray, D., Rhine, T. & Jones, L., 2005).
Why is this workbook different?
The workbook includes 20 worksheets and exercises to help readers enjoyably learn, as they go along, in a measured stepwise fashion. Peppered throughout this guidebook are engaging, original real-life anecdotes to enhance understanding and application of the concepts. Supportive images and photographs are offered to highlight ideas. Interesting practice vignettes presented after discussion topics help clinicians apply and increase knowledge. Tables and charts create clear cut examples to encapsulate the learning. Sample forms for use in personal therapeutic practice are suggested. Therapeutic tips and ‘how-to’ explanations supplement the reading content. Definitive terms are offered within the information and presented at each chapter’s end in a Glossary of Terms. Following each Glossary is a sample self-test with answer key to help the learner gain full comprehension of each section’s important features by checking understanding.
Statement of Authenticity
Included in the body of this work is a clear demarcation between this author’s original and referenced work. It is asserted that there is no conflict or competing interest or commercial support related to this work. Intellectual property rights are respected by permission from authors of original copyrighted materials, as well as use of trade names, trade or service marks. This training is in no way related to promotion of personal business interests.
Learning Objectives for Chapter One
1) Describe the definition of play therapy and play therapists
2) Demonstrate knowledge about the characteristics of play
3) Learn and compare the various play concepts
4) Understand the importance of developmental awareness
5) Explain the benefits and reasons for using play therapy
6) Describe the importance of the therapeutic relationship
7) Define the projective method used in symbolic play
8) Defend the reasoning of child centered play techniques
9) Apply familiarity with the forces of therapeutic play
10) Connect therapeutic forces of play with their beneficial outcomes
11) Learn how to use verbal play therapy skills
12) Describe the Child Centered Play Therapy model
13) Demonstrate the therapeutic process of working with families
14) Explain the role of confidentiality in the therapeutic relationship
15) Show an awareness of the process of a child’s first play session
16) Exhibit knowledge of Child Centered Play Therapy language skills
17) Understand how to establish a therapeutic working alliance
18) Learn and express how to set corrective limits and boundaries
20) Gain knowledge regarding common play therapy terms
Learning Objectives for Chapter Two
21) Become familiar with the different styles of play therapy
22) Differentiate amid non-directive and directive types of play therapy
23) Describe the difference between the two styles
24) Apply an integration of the two types of play therapy
25) Learn the major theories during growth of play therapy
26) Explain the child centered play therapy concept
27) Define the eight core principles of non-directive play therapy
28) Apply knowledge regarding filial play therapy
29) Become aware of the emergent and newer play therapy theories
30) Understand the trajectory of play therapy via a historical chart
31) Display knowledge of play therapy theories and models
32) List and work with play therapy populations
33) Describe various settings in which play therapy takes place
34) Demonstrate knowledge regarding issues addressed by play therapy
35) Gain knowledge regarding common play therapy terms