play therapist’s objective – “to relate to the child in ways that will release the child’s...

CHILD-CENTERED PLAY THERAPY

Play therapist’s objective – “To relate to the child in ways that will release the child’s inner-directional, constructive, forward-moving, creative, self-healing power” (pp. 53, 54)

Personality theoryo Feelings about the self influence behavioro Adherence to system of personality constructs provides

treatment consistency and enhances therapist sensitivity

o Personality structure based on three constructs• The person• The phenomenal field• The self

PERSONALITY THEORY (CONT.)

The person = “all that the child is” (p. 55)o Thoughtso Behaviorso Feelingso Physical beingo Child’s behavior is directed toward one goal – “to satisfy

personal needs as experienced in the unique phenomenal field which for that child constitutes reality” (p. 55)


The phenomenal field = “everything the child experiences” (both consciously and unconsciously, internally and externally)o Child’s perceptions are what must be understoodo Child’s behavior must be understood through the child’s

eyeso The past and the future are not part of the phenomenal

field


The self – child’s reactions to perceptions that form the concept of “me”o Self-concept or self-representationo Self develops only in interaction with otherso Self grows and changes only in continuing interaction

with the phenomenal fieldo Child develops a secure relationship with the therapist

and internalizes the therapist’s attitudes and responses to the person• Child comes to feel adequate (capable)• Self-accepting – positive self-concept• Self-believing – self-trusting• Self-responsible• Self-control

CHILD-CENTERED PLAY THERAPY (CONT.)

Child-centered view of behavioro Behaviors consistent with self-concept are owned by the

child--congruencyo Behaviors that are not consistent with self-concept are

not owned by the child--incongruencyo Experience inconsistent with the self-concept may be

perceived by the child as a threato Child-centered play therapy provides a safe environment

that allows the child to admit into awareness experiences inconsistent with the self-concept, thus enlarging the self-concept


Key concepts of child-centered play therapyo Natural forward movement of human organismo Movement toward maturity is innate, intrinsically

motivated, not taught or learned – natural curiosityo Attachment theory – the exploratory system, constant

experimentation (think Carlyn)o Directional striving occurs with temporary regressions

Adjustment and maladjustmento Inner drive toward self-actualization and affirmation of

“worthwhileness of self” – basic needs to be satisfied (adjustment)

o Maladjustment – incongruence between what is actually experienced and the concept of the self

o Secure therapeutic relationship allows child to express self and explore experiences as he or she perceives them


Therapeutic conditions for growtho Being real – genuineness

• Therapist understands and accepts self• Therapist is congruent in feelings and behaviors in the relationship

o Warm caring and acceptance (unconditional positive regard)• Therapist must care for and accept self• This attitude is experienced, not learned• Therapist does not wish the child were different in some way –

behaviors do not make the child less worthy of acceptance and prizing

• Characteristics of children• Strong desire to please adults – therefore, sensitive to subtle cues of

rejection• Egocentric and likely to internalize therapist’s feelings• Keenly aware of and sensitive to whatever the play therapist

experiences• Developmentally dependent on reading therapist’s nonverbal cues

Therapeutic conditions for growth (cont.)

Sensitive understandingo Putting aside therapist’s own experiences and

expectations and appreciate the personhood of children o Children’s perceptions change when engaged in

meaningful relationshipso Reassurance conveys the message that the child is not

permitted to experience pain and is not strong enough to tolerate it


Therapeutic relationshipo Past information about the child creates expectations

that the child might perceive and try to accommodate too Therapist must have patience and the willingness to

trust the childo Children experience conflict between wanting to be

heard and recognized and fearing evaluation and criticism

o Power to change resides within the child – not caused by direction, advice, or information

o “I am not wise enough to know where a child should be in our relationship, or what a child should do” (p. 79)


Axline’s (1969) Eight Basic Principleso Genuine interest, warm, caring relationshipo Unqualified acceptanceo Therapist creates feeling of safety and permissiveness in

the relationship, which facilitates exploration and expression

o Sensitive to the child’s feelings and reflects them so that the child develops self-understanding

o Believes in the child’s capacity to act responsiblyo Therapist trusts the child’s inner directiono Appreciative of the gradual nature of the therapeutic

processo Maintaining therapeutic limits necessary to anchor the

session to reality


Objectives in child-centered play therapyo Positive self-concepto Self-responsibilityo Self-directiono Self-acceptanceo Self-relianceo Self-determined decision-makingo Self-controlo Sensitivity to coping processo Internal source of evaluationo Self-trust


What children learn in play therapyo Children learn to respect themselveso Children learn their feelings are acceptableo Children learn to express their feelings responsiblyo Children learn to assume responsibility for themselveso Children learn to be creative and resourceful in

confronting problemso Children learn self-control and self-directiono Children gradually learn, at a feeling level, to accept

themselveso Children learn to make choices and be responsible for

their choices


Multicultural approach of child-centered play therapyo Therapist intent does not vary with presenting problem

or cultural background of child (one size fits all)o Children in cultural groups where the direct expression

of emotions is not encouraged can explore and express intense emotional reactions in the safety of play

o Child-centered play therapy shown to be effective with children from nondominant cultural groups

THE PLAY THERAPIST Creating differences

o Play therapist sees child as a unique individual, which makes the therapist unique in the child’s life

o Play therapist intentionally creates an atmosphere conducive to building a relationship with the child

Being with o Play therapist is fully presento Play therapist recognizes the child’s wants, needs, and

feelings, not just play behaviors

THE PLAY THERAPIST (CONT.)

Personality characteristicso Objective and flexibleo Does not judge or evaluateo Open-mindedo Patient – being in the moment, not the futureo High tolerance for ambiguity – I don’t know everything. (living

in child’s world of uncertainty)o Future-minded – responds to the child as a person capable of

being more than he or she is at the moment (scaffolding)o Personal courage – admitting mistakes, being vulnerableo Being real, warm and caring, acceptance, sensitive

understandingo Personally secure – accepts personal limitationso Sense of humor


Therapist self-understandingo Personal therapyo Supervision and consultationo “The person of the therapist is more important than anything the

therapist knows how to do” (p. 106) Therapist self-acceptance

o “A child will not change until the child is free not to change” (p. 107)

o Therapist has no memory and no desire (Bion)o Therapist must accept one’s own weaknesses

Role of the play therapisto Role does not include problem-solving, explaining, interpreting,

rescuing, or questioningo Role includes facilitating the release of existing creative potential


Supervised practice facilitates insighto Self-critique (see Play Therapy Skills Checklist)o Primary focus of supervision – person of therapist; skill

development is secondary Recommended training program

o Association for Play Therapy RPT credential• 2 courses• Supervision• Personal therapy recommended

o Approved Center (AC) of Play Therapy Education Program at LIU

play therapist’s objective – “to relate to the child in ways that will release the child’s...

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