PLAY THERAPY

Some examples of play therapeutic interventions are:

An aggressive child was helped to realize what causes his feelings of aggression and what the reasons are for his aggression. Alternative ways of dealing with anger and frustration were discussed and practised. His aggression diminished and he became more loving and self-assured.

A shy child conquered her fears and frustrations by means of play therapy. She became aware of her feelings about situations in which she was very withdrawn and was enabled to set more realistic goals for herself.

A tense child explored the reasons for his tension. He also learned to become aware of signs of tension in his body and what to do to relax.

A child with a lack of self-confidence used drawings to express his feelings about himself and his perception of what other children think of him. He realized that his opinion of himself influences his relationships with others. The therapy then focused on his strengths and on building self-respect.

A sexually molested child became aware of her feelings about herself and about what had happened to her. She also learned how the molestation influenced these feelings. The therapy then focused on ways to empower her.

A child was very depressed after the death of her beloved father. She was able to express her feelings about him and his death and conveyed these feelings to him in a symbolic way.

A hyperactive child was helped to become aware of his behaviour, his feelings about himself and others, and his sensory experiences. Play therapy, in conjunction with other techniques, helped him to become calmer and more focused. He also improved his social skills by participating in group work with other children experiencing similar problems.

A child who was having trouble with bladder control and with making friends learnt that he was blocking out sensations and emotions because he wanted to avoid experiencing painful emotions. Once he had built enough courage and self-confidence to confront his fears and painful emotions, he became more in tune with his body's (such as a full bladder). Attention was also given to effective communication skills and empathy.