Play Therapy Techniques Play Therapy Techniques Across the AgesAcross the Ages

Athena A. Drewes, MA, PsyD, RPT-SAthena A. Drewes, MA, PsyD, RPT-SThe Astor Home for ChildrenThe Astor Home for Children

Director of Clinical Training and APA InternshipDirector of Clinical Training and APA Internshipadrewes@hvc.rr.comadrewes@hvc.rr.com

What is Play Therapy?What is Play Therapy?

Play Therapy is a ModalityPlay Therapy is a Modality It is a Method for approaching children on It is a Method for approaching children on

their level.their level. A means for building a therapeutic A means for building a therapeutic

relationship.relationship. A cluster of approaches that utilizes play.A cluster of approaches that utilizes play. Play therapy is an attitude! Play therapy is an attitude!

Empirically-based EvidenceEmpirically-based Evidence

Empirically-Based Play Interventions forEmpirically-Based Play Interventions for ChildrenChildren – L. – L. Reddy, T. Hall, & C. Schaefer (Eds.), American Reddy, T. Hall, & C. Schaefer (Eds.), American Psychological Association, In Press.Psychological Association, In Press.

Ray, D., Bratton, S., Rhine, T. & Jones, L. (2001). The Ray, D., Bratton, S., Rhine, T. & Jones, L. (2001). The effectiveness of play therapy: Responding to the critics. effectiveness of play therapy: Responding to the critics. International Journal of Play Therapy (10)International Journal of Play Therapy (10)1, 85-108. 1, 85-108.

Bratton, S. & Ray, D. (2000). What the Research Shows Bratton, S. & Ray, D. (2000). What the Research Shows about Play Therapy. about Play Therapy. International Journal of Play International Journal of Play Therapy, 9Therapy, 9(1), 47-88.(1), 47-88.

The Healing Powers of Play – The Healing Powers of Play – Dr.Charles SchaeferDr.Charles Schaefer

Overcoming ResistanceOvercoming Resistance Self-expressive communicationSelf-expressive communication CompetenceCompetence Creative Problem SolvingCreative Problem Solving CatharsisCatharsis AbreactionAbreaction Role PlayRole Play Fantasy and VisualizationFantasy and Visualization

The Healing Powers of PlayThe Healing Powers of Play Learning by MetaphorLearning by Metaphor Attachment FormationAttachment Formation Relationship EnhancementRelationship Enhancement Positive EmotionPositive Emotion Mastery of Childhood FearsMastery of Childhood Fears Game PlayGame Play

Recommended play materialsRecommended play materials

Dolls, bottles, dollhouse, multi-cultural peopleDolls, bottles, dollhouse, multi-cultural people Aggressive and domestic miniature animals; puppets Aggressive and domestic miniature animals; puppets

(include people puppets too)(include people puppets too) Clay, arts/crafts materialsClay, arts/crafts materials Cars, trucks, emergency vehicles, planesCars, trucks, emergency vehicles, planes Wooden blocksWooden blocks Therapeutic Board GamesTherapeutic Board Games Sandtray or tupperware bucket with sandSandtray or tupperware bucket with sand

Reasons for Using Directive Reasons for Using Directive TechniquesTechniques

Child does not use playroom and prefers to talk.Child does not use playroom and prefers to talk. Psychoeducational issues need to be Psychoeducational issues need to be

addressed.addressed. PTSD/Sexual abusePTSD/Sexual abuse Cognitive Behavioral Play TherapyCognitive Behavioral Play Therapy School Settings – pressure of 30 minutesSchool Settings – pressure of 30 minutes Time limited number of sessionsTime limited number of sessions Group TherapyGroup Therapy

Integration of Somatosensory Integration of Somatosensory MemoriesMemories

““See No Evil. Hear No Evil. Speak No Evil.See No Evil. Hear No Evil. Speak No Evil.

(Paris Goodyear Brown)(Paris Goodyear Brown)

Small bottles of various smellsSmall bottles of various smells

Objects in bag to touchObjects in bag to touch

Techniques for IdentifyingTechniques for Identifying

and Integrating Feelingsand Integrating Feelings

BASKET OF FEELINGSBASKET OF FEELINGS

Bag of WordsBag of Words

A Simile from Angry/Feeling A Simile from Angry/Feeling WordsWords

Simile – a comparison between two unlike Simile – a comparison between two unlike objects (e.g., anger is like a thunderstorm).objects (e.g., anger is like a thunderstorm).

Regularly the words “as” and “like” are used Regularly the words “as” and “like” are used in similes.in similes.

Examples:Examples:

Silent as a guilty childSilent as a guilty child

Excited as a wiggly puppyExcited as a wiggly puppy

Sad like an unused toySad like an unused toy

What I Can Be What I Can Be by Steven, 15by Steven, 15

I can be FIERCE like a LION.I can be FIERCE like a LION.

I can be RAGING like a TORNADO.I can be RAGING like a TORNADO.

I can be RESILIANT like a PLANT.I can be RESILIANT like a PLANT.

I can be RELAXED like the wind.I can be RELAXED like the wind.

But most of all I can beBut most of all I can be

ME!!!!ME!!!!

Time LineTime Line

Clay as Clay as

MetaphorMetaphor

CAUSE AND EFFECTCAUSE AND EFFECT

Mutual Mutual

StorytellingStorytelling

Animal PicturesAnimal Pictures

Pick an animal from the pictures or think of Pick an animal from the pictures or think of one you likeone you like

How does this animal remind you of How does this animal remind you of yourself?yourself?

What are its strengths?What are its strengths? What attributes do you wish you had?What attributes do you wish you had?

Questions to AskQuestions to Ask

- What drew you to pick this animal?What drew you to pick this animal?- Describe the animal.Describe the animal.- How do you resemble this animal?How do you resemble this animal?- What positive qualities do you share with this What positive qualities do you share with this

animal?animal?- What positive qualities does this animal have What positive qualities does this animal have

that you wish you had, but don’t?that you wish you had, but don’t?- What keeps you from having these positive What keeps you from having these positive

qualities?qualities?- What changes are you willing to make in your What changes are you willing to make in your

life to get those positive qualities?life to get those positive qualities?

Animal FamiliesAnimal Families

Pick an animal for each member of your Pick an animal for each member of your family.family.

-Describe each animal, pluses and minuses.-Describe each animal, pluses and minuses.-Describe how the family member resembles -Describe how the family member resembles

the animal – strengths/weaknesses.the animal – strengths/weaknesses.-Describe how each of these animals relates -Describe how each of these animals relates

to your animal.to your animal.-Which of the children in the family of -Which of the children in the family of

animals is the mother’s favorite?animals is the mother’s favorite?

More Animal Family QuestionsMore Animal Family Questions

- Which children in this family of animals is the Which children in this family of animals is the father’s favorite?father’s favorite?

- -Which child animal is most like the mother -Which child animal is most like the mother animal?animal?

- -Which child animal is most like the father -Which child animal is most like the father animal?animal?

- -Which of these animals is most like your -Which of these animals is most like your animal? How?animal? How?

- Which of these animals is most different from Which of these animals is most different from your animal? How?your animal? How?

Magic StonesMagic Stones (David Crenshaw)(David Crenshaw)

Use colorful stones or ones found Use colorful stones or ones found Use stacking boxesUse stacking boxes

First boxFirst box: When you hold the magic stone : When you hold the magic stone from this box you can change anything you from this box you can change anything you want about your familywant about your family

Second boxSecond box: Change anything about school: Change anything about school Third boxThird box: Change anything about friends: Change anything about friends Fourth boxFourth box: Change anything about yourself: Change anything about yourself

Power CardsPower Cards

Using index cards, child creates power Using index cards, child creates power cards.cards.

Pick an “evil” power and name it, such as Pick an “evil” power and name it, such as being called names (teased by bully).being called names (teased by bully).

Draw the creature and on back write what Draw the creature and on back write what powers it has.powers it has.

Draw a competing good force that will Draw a competing good force that will overcome what hurts you.overcome what hurts you.

Accessing the Inner World of theAccessing the Inner World of the Child Child

Projective Drawings and Guided ImageryProjective Drawings and Guided Imagery

– “ – “Boat in the Storm” (Oaklander, 1988)Boat in the Storm” (Oaklander, 1988)

- “Your Place” (Oaklander, 1988)- “Your Place” (Oaklander, 1988)

Boat in the Storm (Oaklander)Boat in the Storm (Oaklander)

Imagine you are a boat in a storm out in Imagine you are a boat in a storm out in the ocean. The waves are very high and the ocean. The waves are very high and are very rough and toss you about.are very rough and toss you about.

You can see the lightening flash across You can see the lightening flash across the dark sky and hear the roar of thunder.the dark sky and hear the roar of thunder.

Boat in the Storm ContinuedBoat in the Storm Continued

Imagine that you can smell the salty sea, and feel the Imagine that you can smell the salty sea, and feel the rain as the wind blows against your sides.rain as the wind blows against your sides.

Listen to the wind howl as it blows at you. How do you Listen to the wind howl as it blows at you. How do you feel as the boat in the storm?feel as the boat in the storm?

What do you do to take care of yourself in the storm? What do you do to take care of yourself in the storm? Does someone help you or are you all alone?Does someone help you or are you all alone?

Finally, the storm blows over and you find your way Finally, the storm blows over and you find your way back to a safe harbor.back to a safe harbor.

Use of Guided MeditationUse of Guided Meditation

Safe Place – (Beverly James)Safe Place – (Beverly James)

Visualization (with puppets)Visualization (with puppets)

Peace ShieldsPeace Shields

Making a personal power shield that Making a personal power shield that shows who we are.shows who we are.

Circle, divided into four parts:Circle, divided into four parts: 1) Strengths or skills1) Strengths or skills 2) Fears2) Fears 3) Dreams for the future3) Dreams for the future 4) People who you can trust to help4) People who you can trust to help

Helping Children Learn Coping Helping Children Learn Coping Strategies: Gradual ExposureStrategies: Gradual Exposure

Garbage BagGarbage Bag

Zip It!Zip It!

Stress BallsStress Balls

ANGER COLLAGEANGER COLLAGE

Cognitive DistortionsCognitive Distortions

Inside – Outside Inside – Outside ((Beverly JamesBeverly James))

MASKSMASKS

Building Self-EsteemBuilding Self-Esteem

Three stackable boxesThree stackable boxes First BoxFirst Box: Put a self-representation of how : Put a self-representation of how

others see you. Use slips of paper with: “I others see you. Use slips of paper with: “I am”… And “I feel….”am”… And “I feel….”

Middle BoxMiddle Box: Barriers the child uses to prevent : Barriers the child uses to prevent others from seeing them, or getting to know others from seeing them, or getting to know you.you.

Smallest BoxSmallest Box: A representation of their core : A representation of their core self. Can be words, drawings, items. self. Can be words, drawings, items.

Photo TherapyPhoto Therapy

PoetryPoetry

Create a Feelings CinquainCreate a Feelings Cinquain

Cinquain is a short poem consisting of five lines. The Cinquain is a short poem consisting of five lines. The lines usually do not rhyme.lines usually do not rhyme.

Create a cinquain about anger. “Anger” can be the title Create a cinquain about anger. “Anger” can be the title and the first line of the poem.and the first line of the poem.

11stst line – one noun (anger feeling) line – one noun (anger feeling)22ndnd line – two adjectives describing the noun in line one line – two adjectives describing the noun in line one

above.above.33rdrd line – three words that express feeling. line – three words that express feeling.44thth line – four related words that express a feeling, describe line – four related words that express a feeling, describe

lie one, and tie the poem togetherlie one, and tie the poem together55thth line – another word or synonym for the noun in line one line – another word or synonym for the noun in line one

““Anger” Cinquain - ExampleAnger” Cinquain - Example

AngerAnger

Upsetting, disturbingUpsetting, disturbing

Poking, bumping, pushingPoking, bumping, pushing

Not always a friendNot always a friend

Hot-temperedHot-tempered

GAMESGAMES

Make up a Board GameMake up a Board Game

Therapeutic Use of Board GamesTherapeutic Use of Board Games

DrawingsDrawings

Rose Bush (Violet Oaklander)Rose Bush (Violet Oaklander)

House-Tree-PersonHouse-Tree-Person

Draw a Picture of Yourself in YourDraw a Picture of Yourself in Your Favorite WeatherFavorite Weather

Anti-Coloring BookAnti-Coloring Book

Good and Bad of Being Very AngryGood and Bad of Being Very Angry

Think of things you like, and things you do not Think of things you like, and things you do not like, about when you get angry.like, about when you get angry.

Look at the sad snakes. Color in the ones that Look at the sad snakes. Color in the ones that you agree with. The ones that make being angry you agree with. The ones that make being angry a lot of the time too hard or too horrid for you.a lot of the time too hard or too horrid for you.

Look at the shiny stars. Color in the ones that Look at the shiny stars. Color in the ones that you feel make being angry feel good for you.you feel make being angry feel good for you.

Do you have more sad snakes or shiny stars?Do you have more sad snakes or shiny stars?

Family Genogram (Gil)Family Genogram (Gil)

Make up genogram of your familyMake up genogram of your family

Select miniature that represents how you feel Select miniature that represents how you feel about each member of the familyabout each member of the family

Select miniature for the relationship between Select miniature for the relationship between each personeach person

Stick PuppetsStick Puppets

Use craft sticks and have child make one Use craft sticks and have child make one for each member of the family.for each member of the family.

Use the stick puppets to role play Use the stick puppets to role play situations with family members or situations with family members or classmates.classmates.

Use stick puppets to problem solve Use stick puppets to problem solve situationssituations

Magic WandMagic Wand

Create magic wand. Create magic wand. What would you change if you could? What would you change if you could? What would you change about school?What would you change about school? What would you change about your What would you change about your

friends?friends? What would you change about yourself?What would you change about yourself? How would your life be better with the How would your life be better with the

change?change?

Magic PowersMagic Powers If you could have any of the following, what would you If you could have any of the following, what would you

like most to stop people from bothering you or hurting like most to stop people from bothering you or hurting you in some way?you in some way?

Color in or mark the ones you would like.Color in or mark the ones you would like.

If it is none of these, what would it be? Draw it in the If it is none of these, what would it be? Draw it in the empty box.empty box.

Boxes: A fort, so they can’t reach you. Magic dust to Boxes: A fort, so they can’t reach you. Magic dust to make them disappear. Your very own army. A coat of make them disappear. Your very own army. A coat of spikes. To be able to blow fire like a dragon. An invisible spikes. To be able to blow fire like a dragon. An invisible cloak. A magic sword.cloak. A magic sword.

StorytellingStorytelling

Make up a short story or draw it:Make up a short story or draw it:

The tiger who never felt safeThe tiger who never felt safe

The volcano which could not stop explodingThe volcano which could not stop exploding

The dog that bit and bit until everything was The dog that bit and bit until everything was bitten upbitten up

Wall Around the Heart Wall Around the Heart (Foster Cline)(Foster Cline)

Draw a picture of a babyDraw a picture of a baby Draw a heart in the baby pictureDraw a heart in the baby picture Draw second picture of a child who is Draw second picture of a child who is

same age as at time of client’s traumasame age as at time of client’s trauma Draw third picture of child, older againDraw third picture of child, older again Final picture of child, now in foster care or Final picture of child, now in foster care or

with adoptive familywith adoptive family

Squiggle Game (Winnicott)Squiggle Game (Winnicott) Each person takes a different color.Each person takes a different color.

Child makes a squiggle first.Child makes a squiggle first. Therapist tries to make something out of it, by using the Therapist tries to make something out of it, by using the

shape to create designshape to create design Taking a separate piece of paper, the therapist then Taking a separate piece of paper, the therapist then

makes the squiggle.makes the squiggle. The child then finishes the squiggle making it into The child then finishes the squiggle making it into

something.something. Keep going back and forth until each person has made 6 Keep going back and forth until each person has made 6

or 7 squiggles each (12-14 pictures).or 7 squiggles each (12-14 pictures). Put out all the pictures in sequence and process each Put out all the pictures in sequence and process each

one with the child (what is it, anything else they say).one with the child (what is it, anything else they say).

Calming ActivitiesCalming Activities

Deep breathingDeep breathing HumorHumor Repetitive MotionRepetitive Motion

Chewing gumChewing gum SwingingSwinging

Change of Scene or Activity:Change of Scene or Activity: Listening to musicListening to music Modeling with clay or play doughModeling with clay or play dough Building somethingBuilding something Jumping on a mat, using a jump ropeJumping on a mat, using a jump rope

Bubble WrapBubble Wrap