Children at play, therapists at work finding the best approach for their clients
There are many approaches used in play therapy including Non-Directive, Directive, Filial, Group Play Therapy, Family Play Therapy, Theraplay®, and Child-Parent Relationship Therapy. These approaches are all utilized in similar, though different manners and are used at separate times depending upon the identified patient and family system’s need. Historically, beginning play therapists are taught from a nondirective framework.

This webinar aims to expand the beginning and intermediate play therapist’s case conceptualization and treatment planning skills. Participants will be provided an overview of the approaches used in play therapy and an opportunity to receive decision tree guidelines in developing best practice/approach for clients.

Objectives

• Contrast the various approaches used in play therapy
• Develop treatment guidelines to use in play therapy sessions with children as well as caregivers
• Employ various assessment tools in order to properly conceptualize each case
• Detect major internal and external factors observed in children’s play during play therapy sessions
• Construct and use decision tree models with guidelines for direction in continued treatment

Course Content

A. Approaches Used in Play Therapy
  1. Non-Directive
  2. Directive
  3. Filial
  4. Group
  5. Family
  6. Theraplay®
  7. Activity
B. Treatment Planning
  1. Child’s demographic Information
  2. Presenting issue(s)
    a. transition/adjustment
    b. worries
    c. acting out/aggression
    d. social skills
  3. Diagnosis(es)
    a. behavioral disorders (ADHD, Behavior Disorder NOS)
    b. anxiety disorders
    c. selective mutism
    d. autism spectrum disorders
  4. Goals
  5. Interventions
  6. Caregiver’s weekly reports
  7. Play Therapist’s weekly session summaries
C. Case Conceptualization
  1. Intake paperwork
  2. Patterns of play
  3. Professional consultation(s)
  4. Assessment of progress
  5. Caregiver feedback
D. Significant Internal and External Factors Considered in Determining the Approach
E. Assessment Skills and Techniques Used to Assess the Approach and its Fit
  1. Assessment of in-session progress
  2. Weekly caregiver feedback forms
  3. Therapist feedback forms
  4. Caregiver consultation feedback forms
  5. Professional consultation(s)
F. Use of Decision Tree Models (If/Then Scenarios)