April Play Therapy Wrap-Up
-While stress is usually associated with parenting, it is now being recognized as a serious issue for children as well. Here's a great article by Dr. Robert Brooks that addresses child stress.
-In this video, Pam Dyson shows you how to make a paint smock out of an old towel.
-An interview with Dr. Steven Kurtz about the value of parent-child interaction in treating ADHD.
-A great resource on how and why to "spare the rod."
-Brenna M. Hicks talks about how to integrate play therapy techniques into parenting practices at home.
-An article in the Guardian argues that the adoption process should focus less on haste and more on giving the children the support they need.
-A story of how the parents of an autistic child benefited from play therapy.
-According to recent studies, scientists have identified the point where negative thoughts become depression, and have confirmed a link between depression and fast food.
-Here's a fun sensory activity for your home or playroom: Make Your Own Puff Paint.
-Looking for ethics guidelines? Check out this useful site.
-William Michael Davidson has written a great new book for children and parents dealing with trichotillomania. The book is called The Dragon Who Pulled Her Scales and it's available at ChildTherapyToys.com. For more information on trichotillomania, go to the Trichotillomania Learning Center.
-Doing a little job hunting? APT's career center is a very helpful resource. Also, be sure to check out our list of training resources.
March Play Therapy Wrap-Up
Soaring to New Heights
The Tower Anger Management Technique
Play Therapy Cereal Box Theater
-Pam Dyson, founder and director of the St. Louis Center for Play Therapy Training, made some great contributions this month as well. Here's a video about the importance of developing a relationship with a child's parents or caregivers, and another from Dyson's blog in which she guides you through her carefully organized play therapy room. And here's an interview with Dyson from PsychCentral.
-The Association for Play Therapy put together this great video on why Play Therapy works.
-This is an interesting report produced from a study done on play and social/emotional learning in schools. It's lengthy, informative and worth checking out.
-I'll leave you this month with some very nice sentiments from Cherie L. Spehar on what it means to be a play therapist. Have a great April!
February Play Therapy Wrap-Up
-I mentioned Creative Counseling 101 last month. It's a great source for inventive play therapy interventions. Here's a few I came across recently:
Use The Mandala In Play Therapy
Play Therapy Pictionary Activity
Play Therapy Teddy Bear Tea Party
-Here are a few very helpful articles on Sandplay/Sand Tray Therapy that I found this month:
Reflections: The Sandplay Journey Map
Using Therapeutic Moving Stories in the Sandtray
Sandtray in the Schools: A Developmentally Appropriate Intervention
-This Pennsylvania program utilizes a new kind of "play" therapy with autistic children and teens.
-I spent some time catching up on the APT's "History Speaks" video series. The latest installment is an interview with John Allan, PhD, RPT-S, who talks about his experience with Jungian Play Therapy .
-As usual, there was plenty of news about animal-assisted play therapy this month:
Camarillo therapist knows the value of play
Horses therapy to be used in college research project
Magical paws get magical result
-This is an inspiring story about how therapy helped two children recover from the physical and emotional damage of a house fire they barely survived.
-I don't come across too many long case studies such as this one, but I do find them very informative. This one discusses the results of play therapy intervention in orphanages. Check out our Resources & Case Reports section for more lengthy-but-educational articles like this.
-Find more February news here. There are lots of exciting workshops coming up this Spring and on into 2013. Check them out at our resources page.
Chairs (the game)
Chairs
I have used the game "chairs" in a group setting and have found many applications for it. The purpose of the game is to stack chairs (or perhaps some other stackable item) without allowing them to fall. Discussions following are about the player's individual ability to withstand adversity and "not fall." Specifically we discuss what gave them ability to withstand unfavorable circumstances, times they appeared strong but were struggling to stand, and what would cause them to "fall." Each member identified "chairs" in their life that made it possible for them to keep standing by providing a good foundation, as well as the "chairs" that represented the final straw (the one that, when placed on the structure, became too much and caused them all to fall).
There are many ways in which this game can be used individually or within a group. Materials necessary are very inexpensive, but the effectiveness of the intervention can be invaluable.
Using Connect Four in Therapy
Some children do not enjoy playing board games. Connect Four is a familiar game and can be enjoyed by some of the children who don't appreciate a board game. A child's approach to Connect Four can communicate a lot of information about the child. A child that confidently picks up Connect Four, and quickly sets it up may not only be demonstrating confidence, but an enjoyment of competition and cognitive challenges. On the other hand, this child may be demonstrating over-confidence and impulsively that repeatedly gets them in trouble. As play proceeds these hypotheses can be examined by the clinician, and additional information gathered.
Prior to playing a game in therapy it is important engage the client in a discussion about how they would like game play to proceed. Do they want to set it up? Learn the rules? Make up their own rules or modify the standard rules? If it’s a skill based game, such as Checkers or Connect Four, how do they want me to play? I may tell the child I’ve played Connect Four a lot, and usually win. Do they want me to play my hardest? Some children at that point may give themselves an advantage, for example, dropping in two checkers for my one.
Dodge (2008) suggests client and therapist draw Emoticons on round stickers and attaching the Stickers to the checker pieces (alternatively, feeling words can be written on the stickers). Connect Four is won when one of the players achieves a row of four checkers. The winner is encouraged to create a story that includes the four emoticons on the winning checkers (see post on storytelling in child therapy). The game can be enhanced by creating a notebook with the child that includes a description of the emotions that go with the Emoticons and where the stories can be recorded.
Dodge, Cynthia (2008) “Connect 4 and Oh So Much More.” In Lowenstein, Liana (Ed), Assessment and Treatment Activities for Children, Adolescents, and Families: Practitioners Share Their Most Effective Techniques (available from childtherapytoys.com). Toronto, ON, Canada, Champion Press.
December/January Play Therapy Wrap-Up
-Part of a play therapists job is selling the process itself as the unique and effective form of therapy that it is. The person writing into this advice column is a good example of a parent who is uncertain about whether or not their child needs therapy. Many, if not most, clients won't be especially familiar with play therapy and it's important to give them a feeling of confidence in it's healing powers. Here's a clip from a seminar about engaging parents and professionals. Also, here's a list of articles on the fundamentals of play therapy.
-Legos have been recognized for their educational and skill-building benefits for children, but studies are finding that the systematic nature of the toy is particularly appealing to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Check out the ASD Aid website to learn more about Lego Therapy. You might also be interested in checking out Autism Speaks' new video glossary. And here's a great article on why Autism diagnoses often change.
-The Journal of Sandplay therapy has a nice recap of the first Sandplay Therapists of America assembly this past October. And here's a great article on the instructive power of sandplay.
-ADHD is one of the most frequently diagnosed childhood disorders, and it's important for child clinicians and educators to know the facts. Here's a great resource from the Arizona Office for Americans with Disabilities.
-It wouldn't be a proper monthly recap without a great new article from Liana Lowenstein's website: Creative Interventions to Assess Children and Families.
-Speaking of getting creative, Creative Counseling 101 challenges all play therapists to make the most of what you've got with The Mystery Counseling Session.
-In the November wrap-up I mentioned David Crenshaw's website as a great resource for play therapists. I've been searching around on the site a little more, and found that in addition to the many great articles (such as this one on animal-assisted therapy), there are also some great youtube videos available.
-Here's an interesting article on the effectiveness of theory-based interventions. And here's more on the science front: some research is suggesting a new kind of praise to help children succeed in school.
-Family Psychological Services is offering some interesting webinars this year at affordable prices.
Don't forget, you can go to myplaytherapypage.com for more news articles, upcoming play therapy events and workshops, and more.
Hope everyone has a great February. I'll leave you with this classic Sesame Street clip in which Bert and Ernie play the Feelings Game.
No sand tray? No problem!
One thing therapists can do, even with the help of their child clients, is make colored rice for a rice bin instead of a sand tray by using white rice, vinegar, and food coloring. The kid can help "make" the colored rice in session (make sure ziploc bag is sealed well). Combine all colors in a bin, and use as alternative to sand. Easier to sweep or vacuum up than sand is! Kids love it!
-1 tsp vinegar
-1 cup raw white rice
-5 (or more) drops of desired food coloring
Place in baggie, shake so that color spreads, allow to dry for 48 hours or bake in the oven for 45 mins at 200 degrees.
Hope other therapists can use this! I LOVE it, as do my clients!
November Play Therapy Wrap-Up
-This article provides many useful Q&A resources for counselors and other child-therapy practitioners. The sites deal with grief, social/emotional issues, and general counseling. Very bookmark-worthy!
-When a therapist becomes involved in a divorce case, he or she must be very mindful of the process and of the decision-making rights of the parents when it comes to case notes. Here's a brief but important article on how to avoid mishandling the situation.
-Linda Lowenstein is always adding great articles to her website. The two most recent great reads include an article on stress management and one on the effects of addiction on families.
-Congratulations to Dr. Robert D. Nolan of Florida for being named the 2011 David Lawrence Jr. Champion for Children. Here's an impressive article about his contributions to the field of play therapy.
-Sandplay Voices is an excellent resource for articles, power point presentations, training opportunities and more. It's also a great resource for finding other great resources, such as the Center for Practical Play Therapy Techniques website run by Dr. David A. Crenshaw, which is full of valuable play therapy information.
-For those of us who didn't attend the 21st International Congress for Sandplay Therapy this August. The event was held in Switzerland (the homeland of Sandplay pioneers Dora Kalff and C.G. Jung) and appears to have been a very enriching experience. Here's a write-up in the Journal of Sandplay Therapy.
-A horse is a horse of course of course but they also have a capacity to heal. I've been seeing more and more articles about animal therapy in the past year.
-Bop bags and board games will always be great tools to use in play therapy, but there are also ways to utilize newer technology in the therapeutic process. Here's a very cool video about using digital technology in play therapy with children.
-Here's a great three-part article on Filial Therapy by Rise Van Fleet. Find lots of other articles and information at the Family Enhancement & Play Therapy website.
-Having just wrapped up another great conference in Sacramento, the APT is already gearing up for the 2012 conference in Cleveland. Aside from the big show, there are lots of other play therapy events upcoming in 2012. But not all play therapy learning has to involve travel and expense. For example, you could attend a virtual conference just by watching this series of videos on youtube. Another great way to expand your therapy repertoire from home is through the Colorado School for Family Therapy's distance learning classes. Aside from Play Therapy courses, they offer certification programs in Marriage and Family Therapy, Sandplay Therapy, Art Therapy, and more.
Check out our resources page for our full list of upcoming events.
Happy Holidays!
Eleven Warning Signs of Mental Illness in Children & Adolescents
The “Action Signs” Project is a new tool kit to help identify children with mental health disorders. Approximately fifty percent of serious mental health conditions manifest themselves by the age of fourteen and as many as one in ten youngsters has a serious mental health condition that impairs their functioning in either home or school or in the community. Family practice doctors and pediatricians are in an ideal position to identify these children, and the eleven signs identified in The “Action Signs” Project can be extremely useful.
The “Action Signs” Project tool kit that was recently released by the REACH institute and was funded by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The authors of the tool kit spent the last ten years sifting through studies and interviewed more than 6,000 families and children in an effort to identify the most efficient and simplest method for identifying the most serious mental health disorders.
The researchers identified eleven signs that require immediate action. They include severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships, intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities, sadness that lasts more than two weeks, or sudden and overwhelming fear brought on for no apparent reason.
Dr. Peter Jensen, a Mayo professor of psychiatry, was the principal investigator on this study. He noted that there is frequently a disconnect that occurs between what a child says and how a parent interprets that message. For example, four to five percent of parents respond “yes” when asked if their child has “ever talked about wanting to kill himself or made a plan to do so?” But then, when a follow up question is asked, “Has he seen anyone for that,' they'll say ‘no’ two out of three times," Jensen said in an interview with Minnesota Public Radio. Jensen said part of the problem is that parents don't always recognize when the threats or behaviors their children display aren't normal.
The 11 action steps listed in The “Action Signs” Project are designed to make these situations very clear. For example a child who has severe Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is described in these 17 words: "extreme difficulty in concentrating or staying still that puts you in physical danger or causes school failure".
It should be noted that that the eleven action signs won't be able to identify every child with a mental health problem. The developers of the tool kit suggest the tool kit will identify at least half of the children who are currently undiagnosed.
These are the eleven signs:
- Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than two weeks.
- Seriously trying to harm or kill yourself, or making plans to do so.
- Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing.
- Involvement in many fights, using a weapon, or wanting to badly hurt others.
- Severe out-of-control behavior that can hurt yourself or others.
- Not eating, throwing up, or using laxatives to make yourself lose weight.
- Intense worries or fears that get in the way of your daily activities.
- Extreme difficulty in concentrating or staying still that puts you in physical danger or causes school failure.
- Repeated use of drugs or alcohol.
- Severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships.
The full report can be found at : www.thereachinstitute.org/files/documents/action-signs-toolkit-final.pdf
October Play Therapy Wrap-Up
-Perhaps the biggest news is the recently-released results of a ten year study of the overall impact of play therapy, about which I posted a blog earlier this month. You can read a short summary here, but the full report is a must-read for any play therapist.
-"A weed will grow anywhere," Hankin said, "but if you're an orchid, you're probably more reactive and responsive to your environment. If you have a really negative, punishing environment, you're probably not going to grow up to be a beautiful orchid." This is a very interesting article on nature vs nurture.
-The Calgary Herald had two eye-opening articles about the treatment of mental health issues in Canadian schools. The first reveals that only one in four children receive proper treatment, and the second looks at the complicated-but-significant relationship between family income and children's mental health.
-Helping children deal with the grief of losing a loved one can be very difficult from a therapeutic standpoint. This is a moving article about one school counselor's experience at a camp for children dealing with grief.
-Logical fallacies are easy to fall for and important to avoid as a psychologist. Here are 22 types of logical fallacies in psychology, a very handy reference that might take you back to your college days. It also might be helpful to you as the election season heats up.
-The effects of bullying on children has been in the news for a while now, and this CNN study takes an interesting look at the reasons children bully their peers, suggesting that it's not so simple as the big preying on the small, but has much more to do with vying for social status. I also came across this straightforward and useful article about how to recognize and manage aggression in children.
-This is a touching story about a disrupted adoption, abandonment issues, and the ways a child copes. Find more adoption articles here.
-There hasn't been much sand play therapy news lately, but here's a review of Grace Hong's book Sandplay Therapy Research and Practice, and another for Working With Children to Heal Interpersonal Trauma: The Power of Play edited by Eliana Gil. Read more book reviews here.
For all of this month's Play Therapy news click here. And don't forget to check out upcoming play therapy workshops and conferences.
Hope everyone has a great November!
