• Share your observations are certain things that you experienced or noticed while you were with the family, consider sharing those observations in an open-ended            expression. • Identify a takeaway: Encourage family members to identify at least one thing that they experienced in the session that they would like to reflect upon further or to act upon. This can help to encourage the family’s ownership of the experience and translate the in-session experience to out-of-session family life.


Conclusion Much good can be accomplished in the lives of children and families when all are encouraged to be active participants in therapeutic endeavors. Involving families in play therapy opens doors for strengthening family relationships and promoting individual and collective family wellbeing.  therapists can use the power of play to revitalize and to deepen family bonds.


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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Nick Cornett, PhD, LPC, LMFT, RPT, is an Associate Professor in the Graduate Counseling Program at John Brown University where he primarily teaches courses in play therapy and family therapy. He is passionate about working with children and families through the use of family play therapy. NCornett@jbu.edu


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