Play Therapy Theories Children And Young People Essay

die hard Therapy Theories Children And Young People Essay guide is important for the nippers holistic suppuration including their physical, language, social, emotional and cognitive sufferment. merriment take into accounts peasantren to learn naturally from the mankind slightly them to gain life skills and sagaciousness summercater allows baby birdren to unacquainted(p)ly research the world around them, with tabu adult prep beion. fiddle allows the babe to create, challenge, imagine, engage and explore whole activities for both themselves and another(prenominal)s. Children whitethorn employ equipment onlyterfly alone or with others, in energetic or calm manner. make up is a vital function for a pip-squeaks progressment and lives and is essential to be promoted where possible (Play England, 2007).Play is the prime and natural medium of communion for tiddlerren (Axline, 1947). Children may not look at the cogency to use words to stockpile themselves, en tirely with the assistance of period of gather healers, communication and understanding can occur amongst both the child and healer. As children do not name the same abilities to move on and express themselves verbally and as effectively as an adult can, go gives children the opportunity to express their emotions and experiences. This can admit a foundation to word form kinships with the find healer and others, allowing their needs and requirements to be known and to gain a better understanding of themselves (Landreth, 2002).Play therapy then, is a medium of therapy in which frolic is utilize, to observe children savoury in frolic. By providing resources of hornswoggle materials and knowledge of guess around bump therapy, therapists can identify and examine the childs underlying issues.Wilson Ryan, (2005) allege that the enormousness of licentiousness therapy is to allow children move from world un apprised(predicate) of their hidden, un sensible feelings they may have as a result of life experiences, and gain an understanding of their emotions and experiences modify them to come to terms with feelings. OConnor and Schaefer (1994) maintain the aim of find therapy is to bring children to a level of emotional and social functioning or level with their usingal stage. This can allow usual developmental process to be resumed.Play Therapy is an active process in the midst of both the play therapist and the child. It allows the child to explore their surroundings at his or her own pace. The child has his or her own schema of their issues which may be current and of conscious sensation or, hidden in the past and possibly buried in the unconscious. These issues whether of conscious aw atomic number 18ness or not may affect the childs daily modus vivendi influencing feelings and behaviour. Play therapy is child centred and the play therapist focuses on play as the first and paramount medium of therapy, with speech the second medium of the rapy (British tie-up of Play Therapists, 2008).The Irish Play Therapy Association (2013) claim, Play Therapy is an effective mode of therapy for children who display or encounter many difficulties or issues. behavioural difficulties may include depression, aggression, anxiety and other issues relating to difficult encounters or life experiences of abuse, stopping point of a family member, divorce or separation and trauma (www.ipta.ie, 2013).A annals of Play TherapyPlay Therapy dates back as far as 1909 in Europe with the naturalize of Sigmund Freud (1909/1955) and the first documented psychoanalytic therapeutic do work foc victimisation on a child was the case of Little Hans. Freud observed the childs phobias through and through observations of his play behaviours and dreams. This case encouraged further development of Freuds work and eventually the development of play therapy.While Freud used variation of the unconscious motivation of a child mental synthesis a race with the child, only when he came to the understanding that unconnected adults, children do not decide to assume into analysis. Without consent or understanding the therapist brings the child into this analysis. Anna Freud (1946) followed her fathers interest of play, but developed her own theories. She held that adults undergoing psychoanalysis are required to provide the therapist with in governing body to assist the session, that with children the back undercoat information is expressed usually, but not always by the parent.Melanie Klein (1955) believed the use of psychoanalysis could benefit children in a variety of ways, even if their development was atypical. Klein also believed in victimisation observations with children during their play and behavioural actions and not through their expression of speech as is used inside adult psychoanalysis. Klein therefore introduced toys into her sessions to promote play and allow observation of actions to occur.Virginia Axline working i n America was influenced by Carl Rogers work on non- directional client centred psychotherapy. Therefore, Axline built on Rogers possibleness resulting in a new therapeutic go on for working alongside children, known as non directive play therapy. As in adult psychotherapy, the birth between the therapist and the child in play therapy is establish on being genuine, on acceptance and trust.The theory is that if children are given the opportunity to freely express their feelings and emotions they lead resolve these issues themselves, using play experiences and the assistance of their play therapist in order to achieve this (Wilson Ryan, 2005). Axline (1950) stated that non- directive play therapy is a play experience that is therapeutic because it provides a secure alliance between the child and the adult, so that the child has the freedom and room to state himself in his own terms, exactly as he is at that atomic number 42 in this own way and in his own time (p. 68).Axline based her theory on her work with a young boy called Dibs. Axline held that Dibs vulcanised himself through no direction over a period of time. She utter No-one ever knows as much about a human beings intimate world as the individual himself. Responsible freedom grows and develops from inside the person. (Wilson Ryan, 2005).Axline, unlike Freud and Klein who both focused primarily on psychoanalysis, believed children would do their best to neat their full potential and by providing a therapeutic relationship and approach which would support that development. Many therapists today base their work on Axlines (1947) octonary principle guidelinesAxlines principles synopsis,The importance of developing a relationship between the therapist and client from the beginning.Accepting the child and who they are without judgement.Provide the child with a safe environment to express their feelings completely.The therapist is alert and available to provide the child with feedback to assist the clients behaviour,The therapists provides the child with a scaffold to learn how to dish out and solve their own problems and to respect their choices.The therapist is required not to direct the child in any manner, un slight where the childs safety is at risk. The therapist allows the child to lead the session and the therapist follows their lead.The therapist is patient and understands it is a bit-by-bit process requiring time.The therapist provides limits that are essential to assist the therapy into a sniff out of reality and provide the client with information in relation to their responsibilities inside the relationship (Axline, 1947).Based on Axlines theory of non-directive play therapy, Landreth (2002) developed his theory of Child Centred Play Therapy. Landreth (2002) states the relationship between the child and the therapist must(prenominal) be different from other types of relationships the child has experienced. The relationship between the ii is to ensure the child feels safe and comfortable to be expressive in spite of appearance their play, allowing natural communication to occur. He believes the true foundation to the relationship at heart child centred therapy is that of the bond between the therapist and child (Landreth 2002).Another powerful contribution to the area of play therapy is the work of David Levy (1938). Levys Release Therapy allows children sack their anxieties through controlled play designate out by the therapist. Levy provided free play therapy based on Kleins theory of free play. Toys are introduced into the settings that are related to the event that requires intervention and the child plays freely with the chosen toys. increment of Play TherapyChild psychotherapy has established a strong usance across Europe and has self-aggrandising significantly. In Ireland, child psychotherapy has grown more than slowly in comparison to American and Europe. However, professionals interest in play as a therapeutic inter vention has developed little by little over the past decade. Practioners are becoming more increasingly aware of the seriousness of emotional issues experienced by children and the difficulties that may arise. These children are probably to require more serious discourse that may not be available to them.Play Therapy Theories and ApproachesThere are two techniques used deep down Play Therapy, non- directive Play Therapy and directive Play Therapy. Non directive play therapy approaches are referred to as , child-focused, client centred and unstructured, where components of directive play therapy are describe as structured, directive and focused Gil (1994).Gil (1994), elaborates on various directive play techniques, including behavioural or gestalt, but suggests that non directive play therapy is a more child focused approach. He explains that non-directive play therapy provides the child the freedom to record in their own way throughout the session, allowing the therapy to mo ve in specific direction required for the session.Within structured play therapy, the play therapist plans activities adapting a directive play approach. During the formation of a relationship between the therapist and client within directive Play Therapy a less directive technique is used. This allows the therapist to build a foundation to the relationship and over time, directive techniques are weaned into the relationship (Jones, Casado and Robinson, 2003).Similarly, supporting this concept, Berting (2009) suggests that building on the concept on developing a therapeutic relationship using a less directive approach is best practice, in advance proceeding with more directive activities in the core area of the play therapy session. He also suggests observing the childs need to be able to or lively to carry out directive play therapy.Non-Directive Play Therapy ( who are the key people in NDPT and explain what you will discussWith over 60 years of influential work, Axlines contrib ution to non directive play therapy was outstanding. He is known as the founder of non directive play therapy and his work remedy influences play therapists in many ways. He believed the play therapist should have very little influence on the clients play and the client should communicate through their play, which is still a core principle today.The idea of scope your full potential as a child in play therapy was originally proposed by Axline (1947). He explained the theory of progressing towards full potential occurs because of the formation of the therapeutic relationship, and not that of specialised techniques.Ray, Blanco, Sullivan, and Holliman (2009) support Axlines theory by stating the play therapists develops a relationship with the client by building on their acceptance.. In return, the client develops self-acceptance which results in moving towards their full potential.Today, play therapists continue to build on the foundations of non-directive approach guided by Axli nes creative work, the area of non-directive play therapy continues to progress, more than 60 years later.Client-centred play therapy.Developing the ideas of Axline (1947) and Moustakas (1959), Landreth (2002) improved their theories to develop client centred play therapy. In Play Therapy Virginia Axline (1947/69) suggests that the individual has within himself the great power to solve his own problems, and that in play therapy, where conditions for growth are optimal, the child reaches for independence (Axline, 1955). She expressed the importance of the therapist to allow the child to explore and investigate the room and toys with his own initiative with support of the experience and the relationship (Axline, 1955).Star this section from MoustakasMoustakas (1959) felt children required the need to feel they were soundless gain self directed skills in order to grow. These skills could be achieved through client centred play therapy, focusing on the clients direction throughout the session.Astramovich (1999) back up the client centred therapy approach stating it focuses on the growth and development of the child, and this can be achieved by the child guiding their own play through the session.Directive Play TherapyExplain to the reader what approaches you will coverMcMahon (1992) states directive play therapy aims to prepare children for an event that is about to occur, for example surgery or other unpleasant events. Directive play therapy works towards treating the childs anxieties they may be incognizant of. McMahon (1992) suggests the directive approach is closer to psychotherapy than to Axlines non directive theory. She elaborates on the therapist having the skills to deal with unexpected circumstances which may arise, and always be prepared and accept the childs response.Oaklander (1978) holds that there are the benefits of fantasy and projective modes to use in directive play therapy. He suggests reading children to draw their family as symbols or animals, directing their play to observe their emotional needs. The use of Gestalt methods is expanding over time, the theory arsehole this approach is beneficial to the child to deal with their feelings they are experiencing at the present, alternatively to going too far back towards traumatic experiences (McMahon, 1992).Cognitive Behavioural play therapyCognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy originally developed for adults, and aims to identify and modify ostracize thinking styles that cause negative emotions and the maladaptive behaviours associated with those thinking styles (Knell Dasari, 2009).Cognitive behavioural play therapy is a sensitive approach seen to be effective when working with children based on CBT from 8 years and above with various disorders. Cognitive behavioural play therapy is used to teach children strategies to change their negative thinking and views in order to develop irrefutable thinking and understandings (Knell Dasari 2009).Green (2008) elaborates on the various styles of the cognitive behavioural approach used within play therapy including, changing their cognitive development, discussing and eliminating anomalous beliefs or ideas and cognitive misrepresentations. The play therapist modifies the cognitive behavioural therapy to causa the needs of the child within play therapy.Gestalt play therapyGestalt play therapy, correspond to Oaklander (2001), focuses on the holistic views of the child, including their body, their emotional state, and their mind. Gestalt Play therapy focuses on the childs ability to understand how to express their emotions and is essential for a healthy understanding of their own emotions. Oaklander (2001) supports his theory by developing a variety of ways to express ones emotions. Oaklander (2001) suggests clay, art, crafts and puppets to cooperate assist the expression of emotions through play in a directive manner. The Gestalt work focuses on the what and how rather than the why as found (Oaklander 2001) found.Alderian Play TherapyWithin Adlerian Therapy, the therapist focuses on and examines the lifestyle of the client and tries to form a relationship of respect and trust with the client in order to set and reach their goals. Adlerian play therapy is a little different as it sets out to appeal to the child but is focused on the Adlerian method exactly in a child friendly manner. (Morrison 2009).Kottman (2001) suggests Adlerian play therapy may use techniques from non- directive and focused play therapy in order to the help the child build confidence, courage and abilities by using the Adlerian play therapy method.It is believed within the Adlerian method behaviours carried out by the client are intentional and by using the Adlerian method of play therapy, children can learn to develop coping mechanisms and strategies as suggested by Kottman and Warlick (1989).Psychoanalytic play therapyMelanie Klein, Anna Freud, studied under the Freudian psy choanalysis each developing their beliefs. Both individuals had a major influence of the development of psychoanalytical play therapyMelanie Klien believed all play was symbolic in business line to this Anna Freud believed it was the replay of real life events. Anna believed play therapy was allowing children to talk about the conscious feelings and thoughts and to act out the unconscious however Klien in contrast to Anna Freud make interpretations from the unconscious meanings to from their play and felt strongly this was the correct understanding (McMahon 1992).Freud argues for the importance of building a relationship between the therapist and the client in order to provide adequate therapy to the client. She did not believe in interpreting the clients play until the relationship was developed amongst both parties (Cattanach, 1992). Klien argues against Freud, emphasising the importance to begin interpretation without the foundations of a relationship with the child resulting i n delays to the therapy (Cattanach, 1992).Parental / Primary Carer battleThe input and contendment of the primary carer is significant when providing Play Therapy to Children. Involvement provides positive outcomes to both the therapist and the child. The therapist can receive back ground information of the problem, the events and behaviours, the primary carer can provide the therapist with information in relation to the childs progress. Primary carer involvement provides security, stability and emotional support for the child if the therapy may become distressing for the child. A parents emotional availability is suggested to be the tool to success of Play Therapy (Wilson Ryan, 2005)Primary carers may be incognizant of what Play Therapy is, and how it is used. As the primary carer brings the child to the centre weekly it is suggested that the therapist should provide adequate information and assistance in relation to the treatment and their part in the therapy (Wilson and Ryan 2 005).The therapist should ensure they dont replace the parent child relationship although their relationship is significant for successful results and progress. Play Therapists can involve parents in a variety of ways, for instance the therapist can ask for the parent to sit in on the therapy to assist the settling period, therapist provide feedback to the parents, after each session or after a particular period of time. This can allow therapists provide parents with advice and ideas of how to bring the therapy into the fundament and provide consistency (Landreth, 2001 and McGuire McGuire, 2001).TrainingThere are independent organisations that within their own country have their own play therapy training however they adopt the standards of Play Therapy Internationals standards. Their training is recognised and certified. Play Therapy Ireland, Play Therapy coupled Kingdom and Play Therapy Canada are well developed and link with Play Therapy Ireland through their practice. Other c ountries are gradually developing their own Play Therapy International standards.The Childrens Therapy Centre are the only APT approved provider in Ireland. Their courses are recognised by the Irish Association for Play Therapy and have approved quality assurance standards with both FETAC and HETAC.ConclusionIn this chapter a review of the current literature relating to play therapy was addressed. I will present a small scale study carried out on the perception of Play Therapists. In the next chapter I will outline and discuss methods for gathering data for this study. A