Play TherapyBy: Kamryn Kirk

W200January 26,2010Section # 24724

Table of ContentsTitle SlideTable of ContentsSlide 1- Article 1Slide 2- Article 1ReflectionSlide 1- Article 2Slide 2- Article 2Reflection

Slide 2- Article 3ReflectionConclusionWorks Cited

Art Therapy (slide 1)Expressive art therapy has

different techniques that can be beneficial when working with children.

Finger painting is a form of projective play and is viewed within the context of the therapeutic situation (Snyder, 1997).

Counselors encourage children to paint pictures of their families doing something they all enjoy.

Art Therapy (slide 2)Counselors who use finger painting provide

clients with large sheets of paper and different color paints.

The counselor observes the choice of colors used, types of lines, and rate and rhythm of work (Snyder, 1997).

Counselors encourage client to tell a story about the picture they previously created.

Reflection of Art TherapyI found that counselors use art therapy to

connect with children on their level.Art therapy allows children to express

themselves on their own terms.One interesting fact is that the counselors

use the color choice and rate and rhythm of work to understand children’s thought processes.

Adlerian Therapy (slide 1)Play therapists using this approach work to

understand how the child makes connection with others, watching how the child builds relationships in the play room, and by conversing with teachers and parents about interaction outside the play room (Kottman, 2001).

Adlerian play therapists believe that all behavior has a purpose and once the goal of the child’s misbehavior is uncovered, play, art, and storytelling can be used to help the child strive for more positive goals.

Adlerian Therapy (slide 2)Adlerian therapy seeks to develop a

relationship with the child and family.Therapists gather enough information about

the child and parent’s life style to formulate a hypothesis about views on self, others, and the world and the connection between these beliefs and the child’s behaviors (Kottman, 2001).

Therapists attempt to shift the child from destructive goals toward constructive goals.

Reflection on Adlerian TherapyAdlerian therapy guides the children and the

parents in the decision making process of working toward a better behavior and attitude change.

An interesting fact about Adlerian therapy is that it focuses on shifting the child from destructive goals toward constructive.

Most importantly, play therapists understand that all behavior has a purpose.

Games and Therapy (slide 1)Game play can be described

as an approach that incorporates games into the therapeutic process (Swank, 2008).

Game play creates an environment supporting clients in the development of social skills and providing them with the opportunity to try out new behaviors in a social setting (Swank,2008).

Three Types of Game Therapy (slide 2)Type one involves physical skill and the

outcome relies on participants’ gross and fine motor skills.

Type two involves games of strategy which focuses on rational problem solving (Swank, 2008).

Type three involves games of chance which results in outcomes uncontrolled by the participants.

Reflections on Games and TherapyIt was interesting to

discover that games can be used for therapy.

It involves children to try out new behaviors in a social setting.

I did not consider that games of strategy would be an important factor in client’s rational problem solving.

ConclusionPlay therapy can be a beneficial approach for

children, adolescents, and families. It allows children to enjoy counseling in a way they can understand, free from stress and the pressure to understand adult conversation. Counselors who choose to use this form of therapy must be properly trained in play therapy. Counselors who are not trained in this form of therapy should make referrals to best benefit the child and the family.

Works CitedKottman, T. (2001). Adlerian play therapy. International

Journal of Play Therapy, 10(2), 1-12.Snyder, B. (1997). Expressive art therapy techniques:

Healing the soul through creativity. Journal of Humanistic Education & Development, 36(2), 74.

Swank, M. (2008). International Journal of Play Therapy, 17(2), 154-167.