Play Therapy – respecting the spirit of the child

Abstract

Play Therapy is an appropriate form of counselling for children; it is based in a therapeutic relationship where communication is developmentally appropriate and easily expressed. Using a variety of methods from non-directional to co-operative play, the therapist acts to affirm, articulate and co-regulate emotional expressions and joins the child in finding meaning, and understanding of the environment. Play Therapy is presented in this paper as an expression of spiritual connection. The relationship of mutual respect and positive expectation between therapist and child allows new understanding to emerge. The interaction between these two areas of knowledge, Play Therapy and children’s spirituality is examined through case study notes and experience of Play Therapy as an early intervention response to children at a time of community disaster. The author is a Clinical Play Therapist as well as a lecturer in children’s spirituality, so this work emphasises the importance of the spiritual nature of the child and the use of a spiritual connection with the therapist for children recovering from psychological distress.

Keywords:

• Spirituality
• Play Therapy
• children
• counselling
• healing

Notes

1. This is not a formal case study, but rather a selection of notes from Play Therapy sessions, the mother and I worked together to ensure that confidentiality was maintained and identification was not possible The Play Therapy took place in Melbourne Australia where I was the therapist.

2. This selection was guided by discussions with Dr. Brandy Shoumann regarding a similar intervention after 9/11 and supported by the writings of Landreth (2002); Webb (2000).