Therapeutic play has as its main objective the emotional well being of
the child. It accomplishes this through the use of play and/or the
creative arts - the 'Play Therapy Tool-Kit
TM'.
It differs from fully fledged play therapy only in degree. Someone using
therapeutic play such as a Care Worker or a Teaching Assistant would
normally only deal with conditions at the left hand side of the
spectrum. - see
Therapeutic Play Continuum.
It may be used to treat or assist in alleviating a mild, one off
emotional or psychological problem that is preventing the child from
functioning normally.
Therapeutic play may also be used as a method of detecting more serious
problems that may be dealt with by referring on to a play therapist,
child psychotherapist or other mental health specialist. A therapeutic
relationship is established and because there is some degree of
clinical responsibility clinical supervision is essential.
Anyone using therapeutic play skills should be bound by an ethical framework
or code of ethics, either PTIrl's or an equivalent professional organisation which would
normally be specifieddown by the employing agency.
Therapeutic play has a valuable function in preventing children's slight or mild
problems becoming worse.
A recognised qualification is the
Certificate in
Therapeutic Play course. accredited by Play Therapy International (PTI)
to whom Play Therapy Ireland is affiliated.
See also:
Play,
Play Work,
Filial Therapy,
Play Therapy,
Child Psychotherapy and Clinical Psychology (CPCP) &
The Play Continuum
