Stages of Play Therapy
Child-Centred Play Therapy: A Parent's Guide to Supporting Your Child’s Therapeutic Journey
Supporting your child's emotional and developmental needs can often feel overwhelming. Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) offers an effective way to help children navigate their feelings and develop healthy coping strategies. This post will explore the stages of CCPT, referencing the works of Nordling and Guerney (1999), Kevin O'Connor, and Norton and Norton (2002), to provide parents with a comprehensive understanding of what to expect and how to support their child throughout the therapeutic journey.
Understanding Child-Centred Play Therapy
Child-Centred Play Therapy, grounded in the principles established by Virginia Axline, is a non-directive approach where children lead the play, and the therapist follows their cues. This method, emphasized by experts like Nordling and Guerney (1999), is based on the belief that children have an innate ability to heal themselves given the right conditions. Play becomes the language through which children express their emotions and experiences. Let’s take a look at the stages of Child-Centred Play Therapy and what parents can expect from their child’s journey. Please remember that each child’s journey and experience is unique.
The Stages of Child-Centred Play Therapy
Building Rapport and Trust
The initial stage focuses on building a trusting relationship between the therapist and your child. Creating a safe, accepting, and empathetic environment is crucial for your child to feel comfortable expressing themselves through play. According to Kevin O'Connor, this phase is foundational, as a secure relationship is essential for effective therapy. As parents, it’s important to trust this process and allow your child the time they need to connect with the therapist. Open communication with the therapist can help address any concerns you might have.
Exploration and Expression
As the therapeutic relationship strengthens, your child will begin to explore and express their inner world through play. This stage involves various activities such as drawing, role-playing, or using toys to act out scenarios. Norton and Norton (2002) emphasize that play is a natural medium for children to express complex emotions and experiences they might not yet have the words to articulate. You may notice your child becoming more open and expressive at home. Encouraging this exploration without pressing for details can support their therapeutic journey.
Identifying Themes and Patterns
During this stage, the therapist observes recurring themes and patterns in your child’s play. These observations provide crucial insights into underlying issues affecting your child’s emotions or behaviour. Nordling and Guerney (1999) highlight the importance of understanding these patterns to guide the therapeutic process and tailor interventions to your child's needs. Regular updates from the therapist will keep you informed and involved.
Regressive Phase
In Child-Centred Play Therapy, children often experience what is known as the regressive phase, a period where they might display behaviours that seem younger than their actual age. According to Nordling and Guerney (1999), this phase is a natural part of the therapeutic process, where children revisit earlier developmental stages to resolve unresolved conflicts and emotions. During this phase, parents might notice their child engaging in play that mimics younger behaviours, such as baby talk, clinging, or regressive themes in their play scenarios.
Kevin O'Connor (2000) explains that this regression allows children to express and process feelings that they might not have been able to address appropriately at a younger age. Parents can support their child by maintaining a calm and accepting attitude, providing extra comfort and reassurance, and trusting the therapeutic process. Norton and Norton (2002) suggest that parents should avoid discouraging these behaviours and instead create a supportive environment that validates their child's experiences. Open communication with the therapist can also help parents understand the significance of this phase and how best to support their child through it.
Developing Coping Strategies
Once key themes are identified, the therapist helps your child develop coping strategies through play. These strategies are introduced in a way that is natural and relatable for the child. Reinforcing these strategies at home by providing a supportive and consistent environment can enhance their effectiveness. According to Norton and Norton (2002), creating a home environment that supports the therapeutic work done in sessions is essential for long-term success.
Generalization and Mastery
In the final stage, the focus shifts to helping your child generalize the skills and coping mechanisms learned in therapy to other areas of their life. This is where significant behavioural and emotional changes become evident. Your continued support and positive reinforcement at home are critical in solidifying these new skills.
Child-Centred Play Therapy is a journey that requires patience, trust, and collaboration between you, your child, and the therapist. It’s natural to feel anxious or uncertain, but remember that your involvement is vital. Kevin O'Connor stresses the importance of parental support and engagement throughout the therapeutic process.
Practical Strategies for Parents:
Stay Engaged: Maintain regular communication with your child’s therapist to stay informed about their progress and any strategies being introduced.
Create a Supportive Environment: Encourage the use of coping strategies at home by providing a consistent and nurturing environment.
Be Patient: Trust that progress may take time. Celebrate small victories and be patient with setbacks.
By understanding the stages of Child-Centred Play Therapy and actively participating in your child’s therapeutic journey, you are fostering an environment of growth, resilience, and emotional well-being. Embrace the process, trust in the therapy, and know that your efforts are making a profound difference in your child’s life.
By incorporating these strategies and maintaining open communication with your child’s therapist, you can ensure a supportive and effective therapeutic journey. Remember, the key to successful play therapy is patience, trust, and collaboration. Let’s work together to empower and support our children.
As you embark on this therapeutic journey with your child, remember that you are not alone. At Inspiring Play: Child and Family Play Therapy Sunshine Coast, we are here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can help your child thrive emotionally and developmentally.
References
Nordling, W. J., & Guerney, L. (1999). Child-Centered Play Therapy: A Practical Guide to Developing Therapeutic Relationships with Children. The Association for Play Therapy.
O'Connor, K. J. (2000). The Play Therapy Primer: An Integration of Theories and Techniques. John Wiley & Sons.
Norton, C. L., & Norton, B. E. (2002). Reaching Children Through Play Therapy: An Experiential Approach. American Psychological Association.
