is interrupted and the child makes adaptations. The energy that the child would use for functional life activities is blocked, misdirected, or even denied expression. Behavioral, relational, emotional, and even physical symptoms can result. Some symptoms may be indications of neurodevelopmental or medical
issues that must be carefully assessed for needed adjunctive specialized treatment (Grant, 2018).
Treatment Description The Gestalt play therapist is responsive to the child’s therapeutic core issues. Throughout the therapy process, the therapist focuses on the child’s supports and how the child organizes his experiences and gives them meaning. There are certain elements that serve to guide the therapist through her reflections on the needs of the child and making decisions about effective interventions (Oaklander, 1978, 2006).
The most essential element is the necessity of sustaining the child and his parents’ trust and promoting safety and security in the relationship. The child learns why he is brought to therapy so that he can participate in establishing consent, goals, expectations, and interventions.
therapy process. These are areas to explore, usually non-sequentially, to co-create experiences that support the child’s ability to use his contact functions in order to strengthen his sense of self and support integration (see table, next column).
Elements of Therapy
Experiencing the contact functions and the child’s process of making contact.
Strengthening self-support and the child’s sense of self.
Understanding emotions and emotional expression.
Developing the capacity for an accepting, nurturing relationship with one’s self.
Experimenting with new ways to get needs/wants addressed.
Building appropriate support with parents, teachers, etc.
Closing the therapeutic experience.
Possible Modalities
Sensory/body activities
Sand tray, drawings, games
Books, music, role play, clay
Puppets, drawings Roleplay, homework Parent consultations
Family involvement, acknowledgements
The therapist uses clinical judgment, therapeutic skills, and play therapy to provide enjoyment, interest, and depth to this process (Carroll, 2009b; Oaklander, 1978, 2006). Gestalt play therapy is grounded in an awareness of the culture of childhood and is informed by areas of diversity in planning clinical interventions.
Therapy Goals and Progress Measurement The goal of Gestalt play therapy is integrated aliveness – the
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www.a4pt.org | September 2019 | PLAYTHERAPY | 37
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