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AN INTRODUCTION TO PLAY THERAPY

AN INTRODUCTION TO PLAY THERAPY. For Parents and Carers, Schools & Organisations by Lara Kasza ( Signs for Life: Play Therapy for Deaf children ).

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AN INTRODUCTION TO PLAY THERAPY

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  1. AN INTRODUCTION TO PLAY THERAPY For Parents and Carers,Schools &Organisations by Lara Kasza(Signs for Life:Play Therapy for Deaf children)

  2. Contents:Why do we need Play Therapy?How do we know that Play Therapy works?What are the benefits of Play Therapy?Who is Play Therapy for?What is Play Therapy?The Play Therapy ‘Toolkit’How can we use Play Therapy in your School or Organisation?SafeguardsContacts

  3. Why do we need Play Therapy?

  4. “OUR GREATEST NATURAL RESOURCE IS THE MINDS OF OUR CHILDREN.”Walt Disney

  5. YETof the 34,000 Deaf childrenin the UK40% will suffer from a mental health problemcompared to 25% of hearing children(www.signcharity.org)

  6. How do we know that Play Therapy works?

  7. Using Goodman’s Strength & Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) This is a brief behavioural questionnaire commended by OFSTEDIt measures total difficulties in terms ofEmotional symptomsConduct problemsHyperactivity/inattentionPeer relationship problemsas well as 5 strengths and pro-social behaviourIt is completed by the Referrer (usually the Teacher), the Parent/Carer and the Child before and after therapy. The score shows if there has been any improvement as well as our observation of the child.

  8. The aim of Play Therapy in schools is to help children increase their ability to learn by alleviating their social, behavioural and mental health problems. Teachers have identified the following as contributing tobetter academic results and more engaged learning: Good participation in group workCommunication with othersThe ability to take in informationThe ability to concentrate on workThey also want: A reduced number of exclusions Improved attendance rates.Do you agree? What would you like to see?

  9. Results – based on the Teacher's ‘Wish-list’:

  10. What do parents hope to see?“An increase in her self-confidence”“Higher self-esteem”“Help him improve his concentration”“To be happy”“To be ok with her friendships going up and down”“To be able to control his emotions – specially his anger”“To be better able to express herself”What would you like to see?You can discuss these with your child’s therapist.

  11. What are the benefits of Play Therapy?

  12. It helps physical, emotional and social developmentIt fosters imagination and creativityIt encourages concentration and confidenceIt helps children to make friends and learn about their worldIt allows them to learn from their mistakesIt helps in forming relationshipsPlay builds new neural pathways by releasing chemicals in the brain- these anti-anxiety chemicals, opioids and oxytocin, increase a sense of well-being and modify the effects of traumaIT IS OFTEN USED WHEN SIGNING/TALKING THERAPY DOES NOT WORK

  13. Who is Play Therapy for?

  14. Play Therapy is for children:Who are under performing: academically, socially, culturally or physically or showing signs of delayed developmentHave behavioural problemsHave communication problemsHave been traumatised or abusedAre affected by bereavement or loss, separated or divorced parentsAre withdrawn or aggressive, have been bullied or are bulliesHave unauthorised school absences or been excludedAre statemented or on a Child Protection Register and plan

  15. Deaf-aware play therapy is tailored for children who are:Profoundly Deaf, either pre or post-lingually, with either hearing or Deaf parentsAre deafened, hard of hearing, or have any hearing impairmentAre BSL or SSE usersAre predominantly oralHave a cochlear implantHearing children with BSL-using, Deaf parents or siblings.

  16. What is Play Therapy? “Play Therapy is a safe and containing therapeutic relationship between a therapist and a child in which the child is free to use a variety of play and creative arts techniques (called the 'Toolkit‘) to work through emotional, behavioural and social problems that are preventing the child from realising their potential.” (PTUK)

  17. To sum up it is:A method of helping children with behavioural and emotional problems to help themselves.Play is a natural medium for the child’s self-expression – it is essential for development.Provides an opportunity to ‘play out’ their feelings and problems.It has a therapeutic objective – of bringing a child through a process towards self-responsibility.By providing a free atmosphere within safe boundaries the adult allows the child complete freedom to express themselves physically, verbally and with the play things.It is non-directive, non-interpretative, child-centred and based on Axline’s 8 principles.

  18. Virginia Axline’s 8 Principles: Warm and friendly relationshipAccepts child as isEstablishes a feeling of permissionReflects back so the child gains insightResponsibility to make choices is the child’sChild leads – Therapist followsDoes not hurry the therapyOnly a few limitations so that there is an anchor to reality and the child is aware of responsibilities

  19. The Play Therapy ‘Toolkit’:Includes:Sandtray and figurinesDoll’s House and cookerPuppetsArt and craft materialsClay, play doh and plasticineBoard games, activity gamesTherapeutic storytellingMusicDance & movementCreative visualisationsMasks

  20. What happens in Play Therapy & how does the Toolkit benefit the different areas of a child’s development?Toolkit: Area developed:

  21. How can we use Play Therapyin your School or Organisation?

  22. As part of your ethos, commitment and policy of care for the children you support, Play Therapy:Responds to ‘Every Child Matters’ offering children vital extra support to develop their full potential. Can provide the early intervention needed for at-risk children. Compliments your child-centred approach to the education and care of your pupils. Enables children to be more receptive to learning.Demonstrates your commitment to the SEAL(Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) objectives by addressing your pupil’s social and emotional needs.Addresses the principles of the National Curriculum inclusion statement by responding to pupils’ diverse learning needsCan reduce exclusions and increase school attendance.Fulfils the recommendation of Play Therapy required for some children as part of their Child Protection Plan.The work for Social services is paid by them directly and need not affect the school budget.

  23. Requirements needed for safe practice in schools, centres and organisations:Safe play room (consistent)Assurance that sessions will not be interruptedTime for sessionsAssessment and post-therapy evaluations using SDQ’sAssured time-tablingAgreed scheduling/advance notification of changesAgreed communication protocolsParental consentParental involvementAssessment of all children at appropriate stages

  24. Integrating Play Therapy with your School or Organisation:Boundaries in the classroom and the playroom are very differentCommunications between the play therapist and staff will respect child’s confidentialityNeed for clear protocols – can share progress but not details of the child’s processCollaborative assessments For play therapy For measurement

  25. Safeguarding clinical work:PTUK’s Ethical FrameworkClinical SupervisionCRB and InsuranceReview Sessions with Teacher, Parents and ChildClinical Governance Regular Reporting Pre and Post Outcome Measurements

  26. THANK YOU!

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