1. Aggression in Play Therapy
Dianna Green, MSW, LCSW

2. Introduction
Identify differences among varying displays of anger and aggression in play therapy
Understand the importance of anger in the development of a child
Identify effective strategies for reducing expressions of anger
How presentation will benefit audience: Adult learners are more interested in a subject if they know how or why it is important to them.
Presenter’s level of expertise in the subject: Briefly state your credentials in this area, or explain why participants should listen to you.

3. Points of Discussion Constructive vs Destructive Anger Anger as a Tool
The Mask of Anger
Healthy Anger
Healthy Expression of Anger
To Act Out or To Not Act Out Anger
Addressing Anger in the Playroom
Lesson descriptions should be brief.

4. Constructive versus Destructive Anger
What is Anger- emotional state of being resulting from needs being unmet or frustrate or well-being being threatened
Constructive/Healthy Anger- motivation to resolve triggering event and emotional state of being with behavior safe and positive for individual and environment
Destructive Anger- motivation to resolve triggering event and emotional state of being with disregard for safe of self and/or environment in short and/or long term consequences.
Hostile Anger
Example objectives
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Save files to the team Web server.
Move files to different locations on the team Web server.
Share files on the team Web server.

5. What Does Anger Look Like?
At Home-
Sibling rivalry
Disobedience
Stubbornness
Competitiveness
Power Struggles
At School and the Community
Behavior outbursts
Work refusal
In the Playroom-
Cheating
Refusal to engage therapist in play
Accidental breaking of toys
Forgetting rules
Passive Aggressive acts such as pouting

6. Anger as a Tool Goal of anger is to create change
What is your child client trying to change with his/her anger?
What is the unmet need anger is attempting to address?
Attempt to regain power and control

7. Mask of Anger
Social and Familial constructs of Anger and other emotions
Limited exposure to varied emotional expression
Anger as a more acceptable emotion or easier to access emotion than others
Blended emotions
Gender biases
“unacceptable” emotions

8. Healthy Anger Is there such a thing? What Does it look like?
Healthy competition, desire to achieve
Decision making
Assertiveness

9. Healthy Expressions of Anger
Verbal communication
Learning to effectively call an emotional “time out”
Use of healthy coping skills
Boundary setting

10. To Act Out or To Not Act Out Anger
Many techniques involve physical expressions of anger
Is this the best option?
Personal opinion vs. research
Emotional Outlets of expression
Physical Outlets of expression
Suggested Toys for Playroom-
Ball
Foam Swords
Toy Soldiers
Clay and other manipulatives

11. Addressing Anger in the Playroom
The therapeutic relationship as an example of anger management and expression
Use of boundaries and limits to help reinforce healthy anger expression and communication
Activities to practice frustration tolerance
Activities/interactions to enhance alternative positive coping skills
Activities/interactions to learn healthy emotion communication

12. Important Things to Remember
Avoid Power Struggles-
Be Flexible
Allow the child client to make decisions, even if it is the wrong one!!!
Be compassionate and genuine in your therapeutic relationship
Appropriately communicate disapproval of behavior
Allow and promote outside of the playroom power and choice at an appropriate level