P
CLINICAL EDITOR’S COMMENTS: Family play therapy allows all members to
participate more actively in therapeutic endeavors.
lay therapists are uniquely situated to work with family units. Why
can we come to see and to operate as if families are allies, not adversaries,
Rationale for Involving Families On surveys, many play therapists and families with young children indicate that when children experience problems, families tend to experience problems (Haslam & Harris, 2011; Tsai & Ray, 2011), and effective therapy with children includes the family unit (Haslam & Harris, 2011; Sax, 2007). Play therapists and families recognize family life is implicated in both the maintenance and resolution of problems.
A plethora of research supports the relationship between family
functioning and the health of infants and toddlers (Brackbill et al., 1990), young children (Bastiaansen et al., 2005), adolescents (Rayburn et al., 2018; Reigstad et al., 2006), and adults (Kessler et al., 2010). Outcome 2015) and Theraplay®
(e.g., Hiles Howard et al., 2018) overwhelmingly
supports their value in promoting parent and child wellbeing through the strengthening of family relationships. Researchers highlight the value of using play-based activities with families in increasing participation and engagement
from family members, strengthening therapeutic
alliances with children, and promoting more positive family interactions
Orientation to Family Play Therapy Prior to using family play therapy, play therapists should orient themselves to this modality by obtaining education,
will be engaging in regular communication with you so you are clear about what we are working on in play therapy, and so I can understand what you are noticing with your child outside of therapy. In addition families to be involved in sessions with their children. We will determine this involvement together based on the unique needs of your child and your family. This could include single or multiple sessions with some or all family members in attendance or sessions in which the time is split between meeting with the child and meeting with some or all of the family.
If and when family play therapy sessions occur, play therapists should revisit the informed consent and assent process with children and their families so that everyone clearly understands the general nature and purpose of family play therapy. It is particularly important to be clear in sessions involving multiple family members (APT, 2019, Sect. B.2). supportive agents in the child’s therapy. The records I maintain on family
training, and
supervision in its use (Association for Play Therapy [APT], 2019, Sect. D.2). There have been several comprehensive books written on the practice of family play therapy (e.g., Bowers, 2013; Gil, 2015; Green et al., 2015; Higgins-Klein, 2013; Schaefer & Carey, 1994), and APT approved providers of play therapy education also provide workshops and courses on family play therapy (
https://www.a4pt.org/page/EducationTraining). These resources provide excellent ways for play therapists to begin envisioning and applying family play therapy.
It is important to orient families to family play therapy as part of the informed consent process (APT, 2019, Sect. A.3). Initially, it is not always clear whether and how much I might utilize family play therapy with a particular client and family, so I introduce all families to the possibility of its use. Here is an example of what this basic introduction might sound like:
I believe strongly in the importance of involving families in the work that I do with children. You know your child. You matter to your child. You can reach your child in ways that I cannot. So, at a minimum, I
Conducting Family Play Therapy Sessions One way to ease into family play therapy is to consider making one of the initial sessions a designated family play therapy session. This can provide an opportunity to get acquainted with the experience of facilitating family play therapy while enriching your understanding of the family and providing them with an opportunity to experience the power of • Family-directed play session: Invite the family to the playroom much like you would a child for a nondirective play therapy session: 45 minutes long, and you could give them a 5-minute and 1-minute warning as the end of the session nears. • Family drawing: Place a large piece of butcher paper where all family members can reach it. The paper could be taped to the wall or placed on a table or floor. Provide the family with access to crayons
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