The Play Therapist is here…. Now what??? Dianna Sawyers MSW, LCSW

Objectives Learn how play therapy can benefit your students Identify ways for school personnel to join with play therapist for effective treatment Understand what is happening during a play therapy session and how you can help

1. Play Therapy Basics What is a play therapist, what is play therapy, and how does it benefit my students?

History of Play Therapy Early philosophers recognized the importance of play both in life and for children Freud and “Little Hans” 1920’s and 1930’s- Hermine Hug-Hellmuth, Anna Freud, Melanie Klein, David Levy- use of free play, analysis of children play as intervention 1940’s and 1950’s- Clark Moustakas, Virginia Axline, and the emergence of humanistic psychology 1960’s to present- Garry Landreth “Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship,” directive vs non directive approaches, Theraplay

What is a play therapy? The Association for Play Therapy (APT) defines play therapy as: the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development Play therapy is an additive model Play therapy utilizes the “natural” language of children Play therapy aims to respect the developmental level of each child by building a relationship and creating naturally.

Who is a play therapist? Licensed mental health provider who has received additional specialized training according to the requirements of the APT. Licensed Mental Health Provider- LCSW, LPC, PsyD. Additional training required: 150 post licensure hours in play therapy 500 hours supervised intervention 18 hours continuing education per cycle

2. Creating a Successful Partnership What can you do as a school personnel to create a successful working relationship with the play therapist and increase success for students?

The role of the school COMMUNICATION! Between team members School culture and expectations Establish a contact point/liaison to the play therapist Providing physical elements Consistent space Technology needs Active member of the treatment team Provide a safe space for children before, during, and after therapy sessions

Administrative Elements Funding- Grants, Third Party, School Budgets Legal Requirements Consent to Treat HIPPA Professional Requirements Continuing Education Case Maintenance Maintaining professional boundaries

Helping Students become Successful Therapy Clients Respect privacy Be open to changes/accommodations Communicate!!! Consult with the therapist in your school Ask questions Be flexible Remember Therapy is NOT a punishment Success and positive change takes times Therapy looks different for every person

3. The Play Therapy Session

How does a play therapy session look? Session Length: ideally 45 minutes Welcome to the playroom: 5-10 minutes of exploring/engaging with the playroom/therapist Let’s get to work: 30 minutes engaged in directive or non-directive work Exiting the playroom: 5-10 minutes, 5 minute warning, exiting ritual, transition object

What is the progression of play therapy? Stages of Therapeutic Progress (J.L.G. de Rivera, MD, 1992) Commitment- initiating services, building therapeutic rapport, motivation for change Process-the working phase- searching for patterns, gathering new information, Change-creating new healthy patterns, developing lasting insight and changes Termination- successful completion of therapeutic intervention, client gains autonomy from therapist, healthy termination of therapeutic relationship

Who does play therapy benefit? The ideal population are those 3-12 years of age Those older than 12 can benefit from aspects of play therapy, modified play therapy interventions, or shorter play therapy services Play therapy addresses many mental health and behavioral concerns

Birds fly, fish swim, children play. -Garry Landreth

THANKS! Any questions? You can email me at: dianna.sawyers17@gmail.com