How Do Play Therapists Decide When to Include Parents in Play Therapy Sessions?
Manage episode 507105369 series 3553522
Have you ever had this happen with a play therapy client?
You greet your young client in the lobby and your client asks – “Can my mom/dad come with us today?”
Or maybe you’re talking with a parent who asks you what you do in their child’s play therapy sessions and why do you only work with their child? Why aren’t they (parents) allowed in the play therapy session?
What do you say as you feel the lump in your throat growing and your voice stammers a little bit to find the right words?
Underlying these questions is a fundamental clinical consideration that requires you to figure out these two critical components:
🧭What do you believe are critical for providing quality play therapy?
🧭How will parents be involved in their child’s treatment?
So often play therapists just say yes to including parents in sessions, but they have no plan or purpose for including parents.
That usually results in confusion for parents about their role in the sessions and what are the expectations for them during the sessions.
Play therapists often feel awkward and unsure about what to do in these sessions, then doubt their ability to use play therapy effectively.
So, this week we’re going to tackle the question of whether you include parents in play therapy sessions.
Join me for this free weekly podcast! I’ll discuss three things you need to consider when figuring out if parents will be in their child’s play therapy sessions and how to include them.
So bring your pen and paper because this is going to be a practical application episode!
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Check out my free resources for mental health professionals working with children, adolescents, and families who want to integrate play therapy and expressive arts into their clinical work.
I work with individuals and agencies to develop successful strategies and meet the treatment needs of your child and adolescent clients and their families using play therapy & expressive arts.
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Chapters
1. How Do Play Therapists Decide When to Include Parents in Play Therapy Sessions? (00:00:00)
2. Intro (00:00:01)
3. Today's topic overview (00:00:50)
4. Step 1: Clarify Your Core Beliefs (00:05:29)
5. Step 2: Align with Your Play Therapy Model (00:14:25)
6. Step 3: Use Case Conceptualization as Your Compass (00:20:02)
7. Recap of today's discussion (00:31:33)
8. Resources - Getting Grounded Excellence Series Courses (00:34:08)
9. Outro (00:40:06)
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