CLINICAL EDITOR’S COMMENTS:
Trained play therapists may help clients harness the therapeutic powers of play digitally to create environments to explore their reality(ies).
T
he use of digital tools in play therapy has reached new restructured how services can be delivered, but also how
practitioners conceptualize the fundamental change agents activated by play therapy. One digital tool staring at play therapists from the horizon is virtual reality. Beyond the “cool” and “wow” factors, this immersive, creative, engaging, and customizable tool has far-reaching perspective, the author presents powerful evidence for the appropriate use of these amazing tools.
Play Therapy with Adults Play therapy with adults is a bit of an enigma for many play therapists. Conceptually, many can envision the importance of play throughout the lifespan. Play therapists have had the experience of enjoying the fun of play, not only during sessions with our clients, but also within educational and supervisory experiences. However, few play therapists have ventured into the world of play therapy with adults.
Dr. Charles Schaefer (2003) stated “the need to play is not a trivial or childish pursuit but remains a powerful, positive force throughout our lives” (p. ix). Ward-Wimmer (2003) added, “For adults, play continues as an important vehicle because it fosters numerous adaptive behaviors including creativity, role rehearsal, and mind/body integration” (p. 2).
typically stems from the client, the play therapist, or both. The client may express resistance or refusal when approached with the idea of using traditional play therapy materials within their adult session. materials with another adult. Additionally, the play therapist might not accept or pursue adult referrals for these reasons.
Ward-Wimmer (2003) proposed that we are a “nation of adults who must relearn the art of playfulness” (p. 5). She asserted that adults are quite of an adult’s willingness to participate in play and playfulness is the availability of highly motivating materials (Stone, 2020a) along with an accepting and safe environment.
Playfulness Scale for Adults. components of play and characteristics of play therapists. This endeavor
Author’s Note: service provided, the appropriate ethical guidelines provided by licensing,
professional and professional,
malpractice, and governing entities must be adhered to.
of playfulness, known as the therapeutic powers of play (Schaefer informal experiences, highlighting that adults can be playful. Schaefer of playfulness: fun-loving, sense of humor, enjoys silliness, informal, and whimsical” (p. 26).
It is also important to note that some adults do not play and are not playful because they have never learned to play. Play was not part of their childhood experience, commonly due to some type of neglect or trauma. Kendall (2003) asserted, “They couldn’t play now because they had never had time to play – never learned to play – in the beginning a potentially uncomfortable interaction and may also inadvertently trigger or elicit memories and realizations of the adult’s lack of play experience. There are many factors to take into consideration when introducing play therapy within an adult’s session.
Highly Motivating Digital Adult Play Therapy
Intervention A number of interventions are appropriate for use with adults in play therapy. Interventions should be evaluated for appropriateness based on the client’s interests, needs, and motivation, along with the therapist’s case conceptualization, treatment plan, and the Digital Play TherapyTM 5Cs: competency, culture, comfort, congruency, and capability (Stone, 2020a, 2022). Highly motivated interventions captivate clients’ interest and heightens their internal motivation to participate.
According to Decker (2010), motivation “comes from internal sources With these two types of motivation, play therapists can think of internal motivation as drives, such as physiological and psychological needs, and external motivation, such as incentives and goals. Both types of motivation will most likely be present for the adult (and any aged client) within play therapy. A play therapist is tasked with identifying the adult’s internal and external motivations and presenting appropriate play therapy materials, particularly with savvy adult clients.
www.a4pt.org | December 2021 | PLAYTHERAPY | 21
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