Nondirective Play Therapy

For the reason that the term play therapy combines two simple words in a way that implies their connection to the whole range of psychology subdisciplines, it would appear that a definition of the practice would be simple to arrive at. However, defining the discipline with precision has proven to be somewhat of a complex enterprise because the conditions under which therapy proceeds are in part a function of therapist background and psychology-theory orientation. This point is made by White and Allers (1994), who say that inconsistencies in the definition of the term reflect the variety of psychotherapeutic subsidciplines and the severity of symptoms approached by play therapists. Citing the Association for Play Therapy, Reynolds and Stanley (2001, p. 351) describe play therapy as "the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosoci

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have provided formal, statistical confirmation of observations and techniques employed in clinical settings. Chazan (2000) cites the use of the Children's Play Therapy Instrument (CPTI) as a progress checker for the levels of relaxation and growth in developmental skills in very young children undergoing nondirective play therapy over a period of weeks or months. Perry and Landreth (2001) describe the ability of the Play Therapy Observational Instrument (PTOI), which appears to be something of a clinical work in progress, to score observed behaviors in the play environment for evidence of aggression (whether in individual therapy session or in group sessions), social maladjustment, and conflicted emotional states. A variety of tools of play therapy are employed in the clinical setting. As Landreth and Bratton explain (1999), toys are considered to function symbolically, as "the child's words," while the play itself functions "as the child's language--a language of activity." Toys in play therapy are also connected to the issue of safety, both physical and emotional. Emotionally significant experiences can be expressed more comfortably and safely through the symbolic representation the toys provide. The use of toys enables childr
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Approximate Word count = 3480
Approximate Pages = 14 (250 words per page)

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