THE THERAPEUTIC VALUE OF PLAY PLAY THERAPY, PLAY WORK THERAPEUTIC PLAY

LEARNING OBJECTIVES…. By the end of the session you will be able to Discuss the difference between play therapy and play work. Demonstrate an understanding of the therapeutic value of play Understand the theoretical framework that supports play therapy and play work. Demonstrate your ability to plan for play to meet the needs of a child with additional needs.

How can play be therapeutic? Play can be used within social work and family support To support the child’s social and emotional development To assess the child To support attachment behaviour between the child and carer To support children who have experienced abuse To give pre verbal children a ‘voice’

How can play be therapeutic? CATHARTIC THEORY OF PLAY Potential to relieve stress Act out unpleasant experiences Release emotional tensions (Freud 1920 in Scarlett et al 2005 p.214)

PLAY THERAPY HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES Anna Freud – psychoanalytical method of working with children She was interested in the unconscious motivation that was behind a child’s imaginative play and their drawings. She concentrated on the adult building a relationship with the child over time.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES Melanie Klein – developed a method of working with children in a very non-directive way by observing their play. She viewed toys as transitional objects that children can use to displace their feelings. She did not believe that you need to wait for a rapport between the child and therapist.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES Virginia Axline – believed in a child’s ability to solve their own problems. The child needs to feel very secure in the environment and with the therapist so that they can solve their problems. She felt that the therapist must recognise the feelings expressed by the child and then the therapist reflects them back at the child so they gain insight

The process of play therapy? Child is emotionally disturbed Relationship with therapist The child starts to tell their story through the medium of play A child’s awareness of their strong emotions is intensified The child may start to withdraw or deflect their feelings

The process of play therapy? The child will need to decide whether to carry on telling their story or not Child will begin to view things differently Child will begin to explore different options and choices During play the child can practice new behaviours Resolution is reached (Geldard & Geldard 2004)

How can play be therapeutic? Piaget (1951) suggests that play has restorative powers Helps children to assimilate new experiences Children are able to work through their stress Children can gain control over their feelings (Scarlett et al 2005 p.214)

Play work Children’s Hospitals now employ play workers and play specialists Play can be used to support children in stressful situations Play can help children to understand their illness To support children undergoing procedures To prepare the child for changes to their bodies

REFERENCE LIST Brown, F. (2003) Playwork: theory and practice. Buckingham: Open University Press Geldard, K. and Geldard, D. (2004) Counselling Children - A practical introduction. London: Sage publications Scarlett, W., Naudeau, S., Salonius-Pasternak & Ponte, I. Children’s Play London: Sage publications