not incarcerated, European American, and a mental health professional) it was important for me to approach the fathers as a regular person with no agenda who simply desired to help.
A flyer with information about the group was distributed a month prior to the beginning of the group and attendance was voluntary. Attendance Sessions were designed with two parts: conversational style lecture and discussion, followed by play, which could be individual, involve pairs, or occur in small groups. Lectures involved elements of neuroscience with self-regulation techniques, explanations of trauma’s impact through the spawning shame and guilt, as well as the role of memory coupled with the overall theme of self-development and the negative effect of stress and isolation. Other elements of self-development were included, such as the connection between self-acceptance and self-forgiveness in creating energy to repair and sustain relationships. The members were invited to join the lecture and discussion using personal stories and experiences, and themes of shame, guilt, broken relationships, and a sense of condemned isolation emerged during this time. Discussion stages also included processing these themes in relation to self-development, as well as self-acceptance and self-forgiveness.
Self-development is vital,
particularly for incarcerated persons who are in stages of self-repair and who fall into zones of condemned isolation. RCPT provides a model to blend the power of play in a group setting with the restoration of
relationship, both to others and the sacred space of the self.
as self-expression opportunities with art supplies where members could draw and color singularly or in a small group. Toys, such as cars, action small group play. Prior approval was necessary for every toy, game, and thoroughly each time. Following didactic lecture, the play session began with a reminder of the self-development topic discussed previously. For example, exploring the topic of shame and self-forgiveness through play in small groups involved creating a narrative using toys and action relationship building occurred during game play and using art materials.
My role was both facilitative and non-directive, at times joining in play to model reflective listening and attunement, and at other times simply behavior and reflected feelings, content, and meaning, while facilitating creativity and decision-making, which created space for self-worth and self-growth through group interaction that I linked back to the father’s sense of self. After play sessions, a time of brief processing followed to allow for sharing experiences and to leave the fathers with a sense of hope and self-acceptance as the session closed. Orientation to the play sessions were important, because many members were initially baffled at how play could be useful. However, members soon realized that play made it easier to be vulnerable and to put thoughts and feelings into words.
Outcomes and Observations Although I have witnessed the power of play and relationship repeatedly in 25 years of practice, this project stunned me at how quickly the fathers became vulnerable and dedicated to self-development. During a session about self-regulation, where I demonstrated a grounding exercise involving breathing and body relaxation, I was surprised to see a member with tears streaming down his face. He remarked, “I haven’t felt this safe since I was a little boy, and the last few minutes of doing this has made me feel whole again.” Another father said after playing, “I see now that I’m not a failure – I have things to work on, but there are many parts of me that are good. I didn’t see that before.” Another father was able to feel whole enough to reach out to his teenage daughter, and he shared a letter he had just written to her. “I avoided her because I knew she was angry with me, and I’ve been ashamed all these years of not being in her life. I realize that I do matter, and that I can rebuild [myself] and rebuild truck with tinted windows and stated, “I realize I’m like this truck – I’m tough and strong but it’s like I hide behind the dark windows and keep myself hidden from those that love me because of shame. I need to let myself love and be loved.” Another member stated, “I realize that play is an attitude – I don’t have to have lots of toys or money, I can simply tell a funny story or pull out a piece of paper and a pen, and we’re playing.” Other members mentioned feeling a sense of hope in connecting with their children and grandchildren at upcoming visitation sessions, and others told of repaired relationships that had occurred through play sessions during visitation or through correspondence with children and life partners.
This project was born out of a desire to take play therapy into dark places with forgotten people in the hope that other practitioners will be inspired to do the same. This project has taken me far out of my comfort zone and has been challenging in several ways, from dealing with security protocols of razor wire glistening in the sun like the shiny teeth of a hungry wolf remind me this is a place of survival and desperation. However, despite the barriers, there is great joy found within the sacred space of play and self-development, for there exists the camaraderie of fathers who, just like me, are simply trying to be the very best for ourselves, our children, and our partners.
6 | PLAYTHERAPY | December 2021 |
www.a4pt.org
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