Play Therapy

Play therapy is based upon the fact that play is the child’s natural medium of self-expression. It is an opportunity which is given to the child to ‘play out’ his feelings and problems just as, in certain types of adult therapy, an individual ‘talks out’ his difficulties.

Virginia M Axline, Play Therapy

Play has been called ‘children’s work’ and indeed if you ever watch a child at play you will see that it is a very serious business indeed! The child may be totally absorbed in the world they have created, or in the task they are trying to complete. Although to us adults it may not seem very important, to the child, at that moment, it is everything.

Play therapy taps into the child’s natural interest in play to allow them to explore traumatic or difficult feelings and experiences in a safe, non-threatening way. It can also provide them with a means to resolve conflict and problems, and to learn new ways of understanding or addressing real life situations

In play therapy, the adult’s role is often primarily that of ‘facilitator’ – providing the materials and the opportunity for children to play at a level appropriate to their stage of development. Children can explore emotions and experiences through play that they do not have the vocabulary to discuss or the knowledge to understand in a meaningful way. Once we have provided the opportunity – say, for example, a sand tray – we might then need to show the child how to use the sand tray. Ideally, the therapist would do this by starting to ‘play’ in the sand pit him or herself, digging or piling the sand, and perhaps filling buckets or toy tractors with it. Once the child begins to follow the therapist’s example he or she can step back a little and allow the child to explore the sand in their own way.

There will be times, however, when the therapist feels that more adult direction is required – perhaps to move play on or direct or focus the child’s therapeutic work. There is quite a debate within the play therapy community at the moment about whether play therapy should be directive or nondirective.

Virginia Axline, a highly influential figure in the development of play therapy, suggested that effective play therapy could be either nondirective or directive, depending on the context and the child.

Play therapy may be directive in form – that is, the therapist may assume responsibility for guidance and interpretation, or it may be nondirective: the therapist may leave responsibility and direction to the child.

Virginia Axline, Play Therapy

Further information on Play Therapy:

UK

The UK Society for Play and Creative Arts Therapies

British Association of Play Therapists

United States

Association for Play Therapy

Australia

Play Therapy Australia

These organisations can also provide useful information on finding a play therapist who is suitably qualified in your area.

You can also find an international directory of Play Therapists at Play-therapists.com

Courses in Play Therapy

The professional bodies and organisations above can provide extensive advice on training as a play therapist in their particular country.

Online Courses include:

Play Therapy Skills – Learning Curve, UK

Play Therapy Skills in Counselling Practice – Borders Counselling