The 10 Most Important Things a Play Therapist Should Know
I was recently asked for my input on the ten most important things a play therapist should know. Here's my list. I hope you'll add to it or present a list of your own in the comments section.
1) Know and understand at least one theory of Play Therapy really well.
2) Read Winnicott, Harry Stack Sullivan, and some of Richard Gardner's early work.
3) Learn the classics: Mutual Storytelling Game and The Talking, Feeling, and Doing Game, and then add to your repertoire of interventions.
4) Know when play therapy is not what a child needs.
5) Be a child clinician first, and someone who uses play therapy to help children second.
6) DSM-IV-TR and play therapy are compatible.
7) Everyone who does play therapy needs to know a good child psychiatrist.
8) Don't "act" like a play therapist. Get comfortable with yourself, and bring that person to play therapy.
9) It's not original but it bears repeating: Play Therapy needs to be more therapy than play.
10) Sometimes Play Therapy is magic! We just don't know why it works sometimes.
1) Know and understand at least one theory of Play Therapy really well.
2) Read Winnicott, Harry Stack Sullivan, and some of Richard Gardner's early work.
3) Learn the classics: Mutual Storytelling Game and The Talking, Feeling, and Doing Game, and then add to your repertoire of interventions.
4) Know when play therapy is not what a child needs.
5) Be a child clinician first, and someone who uses play therapy to help children second.
6) DSM-IV-TR and play therapy are compatible.
7) Everyone who does play therapy needs to know a good child psychiatrist.
8) Don't "act" like a play therapist. Get comfortable with yourself, and bring that person to play therapy.
9) It's not original but it bears repeating: Play Therapy needs to be more therapy than play.
10) Sometimes Play Therapy is magic! We just don't know why it works sometimes.
Posted by Gary at 3/22/2011 2:16 PM 
Categories: Play Therapy, Games, training, Play therapy toys
Tags: child therapy play therapist play therapy Play Therapy Play Therapy practice therapy games
Categories: Play Therapy, Games, training, Play therapy toys
Tags: child therapy play therapist play therapy Play Therapy Play Therapy practice therapy games
This is a great list! I especially liked number 8!
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I especially like number 4. I think we sometimes over-pathologize children.
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My favorite is #5. Play therapy is just one of many tools that can be useful for children.
Speaking of strengthening clinical skills, readers in California may be interested to know that Alliant International University is bringing Stuart Ablon of Think:Kids to California to provide training in his highly-regarded, research-supported treatment focused on helping children who have low tolerance for frustration, children who are chronically inflexible, and children who struggle with explosive behavior. Ablon is a great speaker and has some fascinating ideas. Be sure to put this one on your calendar.
http://www.ce-psychology.com/Ablon.html
Debra Stang,
Alliant Professional Networking Specialist
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