What is the effectiveness of play therapy?
Research shows that play therapy can be effective in treating a range of issues children face, including abuse, aggressive or acting-out behaviors, anxiety, autism, bedwetting post-toilet training, divorce or separation, grief, reading difficulties, speech difficulties, and phobias.
Is the International Journal of play therapy a peer reviewed journal?
International Journal of Play Therapy is a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal that publishes reports of original research, theoretical articles, and substantive reviews of topics central to play therapy on behalf of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, school counselors and psychologists, marriage …
Is play therapy an evidence based practice?
Child-Centered Play Therapy is designated as a promising evidence-based mental health intervention by the Results First Clearinghouse (NREPP) and the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC).
What theory is play therapy based on?
Joseph Soloman, who used an approach called “active play” to assist children who displayed impulsivity and a tendency to act out. The approach was based on Soloman’s belief that expressing emotions such as fear and anger in play would result in more socially acceptable behavior.
What is the main focus of play therapy?
Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses play to help children deal with emotional and mental health issues. By using play as the medium, children are able to explore their feelings and share them with the therapist or the parents.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of play therapy?
Children feel in control while playing, and the therapeutic techniques used in play therapy make children feel understood and respected. In traditional talk therapy, however, children lack the emotional maturity to express their feelings, making it difficult to instill feelings of comfort and safety.
When is play therapy not appropriate?
Play therapy may be appropriate for children younger than 3 years and special cases of older children, but that has not been the recommendation of the Association for Play Therapy.
Who is the father of play therapy?
Schaefer (November 15, 1933 – September 19, 2020) was an American psychologist considered by many to be the “Father of Play Therapy” who has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show and Good Morning America.
What are the two major types of play therapy?
Play therapy comes in two basic forms: non-directive (or child-centered) and directive.
What are some limitations of play therapy?
Limits cannot be avoided, as for examples: every session must end, which is a limit; if toys are intentionally broken, children’s opportunities to express are diminished; and of course children cannot be allowed to hurt themselves or others in play therapy (Cochran, et al., 2010).
Is play therapy evidence based for trauma?
In research specifically on trauma, play therapy has shown positive outcomes for children who have experienced domestic violence, refugee experiences, sexual abuse, and natural disasters.
Who first used play therapy?
Freud
In 1909 Freud (1955) worked with “Little Hans,” a five-year-old boy demonstrating phobic symptoms. This landmark case is the first recorded use of play in therapy. Freud’s student, Klein, initiated therapeutic play methods with children. She used play as a vehicle for free association.
Is play therapy a CBT?
Cognitive-behavioral play therapy (CBPT) is an adaptation of CBT designed to be developmentally appropriate for preschool and early school-age children. It was developed by adapting empirically supported techniques for use in a play setting with young children.
Why is play therapy so important?
Through play, therapists can help children learn more helpful behaviors, understand their emotions, and gain insight about resolving inner conflicts. Through play therapy children also learn self-control, self respect, to express their feelings, problem solving, communication skills, and to modify problem behaviors.
Is play therapy good for PTSD?
There is no high-quality research evidence to suggest that play therapy is effective as a treatment for children with PTSD. There are many cases of play therapy lasting excessively long times while there are other, more rapid, proven techniques available.
What techniques are used in play therapy?
Play therapy techniques
- creative visualization.
- storytelling.
- role-playing.
- toy phones.
- puppets, stuffed animals, and masks.
- dolls, action figures.
- arts and crafts.
- water and sand play.