02 2025 PT History Models Process May 6-7

Overview

This two-day course will begin with a review of the major theories that
constitute the frameworks for the major models of play therapy,
particularly the psychoanalytic influences in the early part of the
twentieth century, the person-centered work in the middle and the
didactic theories that have been developed in the latter part of the
20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. The history of play
therapy will be carefully presented so as to observe the evolution of
this method of child intervention, allowing the members of the class to
participate with case vignettes and small group discussions. The play
therapy process will be examined with a particular focus on
understanding basic themes by observing a play therapy puppet show,
discovering and sharing these themes in small groups and learning how to
record themes. Particular attention will be placed on how to respond to
child client’s need for pacing of emotional content. Selected research
studies supporting the effectiveness of play therapy will also be
presented, thereby being aware of the attention to current efficacy
based research, qualitative studies and the need for future studies.