Play Therapy Fundamentals

Course overview

Course Overview: This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles, techniques, and applications of play therapy as a therapeutic intervention for children and adolescents. Recognizing play as a vital medium of communication, participants will explore how play therapy facilitates emotional expression, enhances self-awareness, and fosters healing in young clients. The course will cover various theoretical foundations of play therapy, including psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and attachment theories, and how these frameworks inform practice. Course Objectives: At the end of the course, you will learn to: explain the key concepts and theoretical foundations of play therapy; apply the therapeutic power of play in facilitating communication and emotional expression in children; differentiate between non-directive and directive play therapy approaches and when to apply each; utilize essential play therapy techniques and materials suitable for different developmental levels. establish and maintain a strong therapeutic relationship with child clients through play; assess and document children's play behaviors, identifying themes and patterns relevant to their emotional and behavioral needs, and incorporate cultural competence in play therapy practices to effectively address diverse client backgrounds.