CSL6835
Play Therapy
This course provides an enhancement of counseling skills in working with individuals and families at a deeper level than those theories present in the curriculum. The purpose of a course in Play Therapy is to encourage communication more naturally through the manipulation of toys and objects in a safe environment. This course provides relevant and cognitive training for problem solving in the area of child behavior and development. A course of this nature develops a student’s capability to identify and select solutions to social problems related to child, adolescent and adult development. Play Therapy allows for a more adequate means than words to express the significant persons and events in his/her life. Nonverbal skills are taught in the counseling curriculum; however, Play Therapy training provides the student a different set of techniques to work with children, adolescents, adults, and families. PREREQUISITE: CSL6801
PREREQUISITE: CSL6801
UPON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, THE STUDENT WILL BE COMPETENT IN:
- Identifying and utilizing the contributions of play and sand tray therapy theorists.
- Applying developmental attributes of play and sand tray therapy to the practice of therapy with children, adolescents, adults and families.
- Applying play therapy models to group, individual and family formats.
- Defining the personal characteristics of a play therapist.
- Identifying categories of toys.
- Analyzing rationale for toy/miniature selections in play and sand tray therapy by case study.
- Developing a play therapy traveling kit or generate a list of appropriate play therapy materials to be used for evaluation and treatment.
- Writing a treatment plan and case study using play and sand tray therapy
- Identifying stages of play and sand tray therapy and provide appropriate therapeutic techniques.
- Developing key elements in a play therapy relationship.
- Identifying the uses of play and sand tray therapy in school, private practice and community mental health environments.
- Demonstrating basic play and sand tray therapy skills (with non-clinical volunteers) including (but not limited to) structuring, tracking, reflection of content and process, returning responsibility, facilitating self-advocacy skills, and limit setting.
- Identifying and limiting the typical problems in play and sand tray therapy sessions.
- Being cognizant of relationship issues including transference and countertransference.
- Working cooperatively with child protective services, educational services, other mental health professionals and medical personnel.