CPS 692Advanced Play Therapy2007

Jodi A Mullen

SUNYCollege at Oswego

School of Education

Counseling and Psychological Services Department

Instructor: Jodi Mullen, PhD, LMHC, NCC, RPT-S

Office: 312-3278email:

web:

office hours: TBA

This course will meet from 9-3:30 on the following Saturdays

9/13, 10/4, 11/8, 11/15, & 12/6/08

  1. Course Number & Credit: CPS 692 3 semester hours
  1. Course Title: Advanced Play Therapy: Theory and Practice
  2. Course Description: This course is intended to provide students with a critical analysis of theoretical approaches to play therapy with an emphasis on the dimensions of the process, the counselor's understanding of children's behavior and his/her perceptions of self, of the client, and of the therapeutic play relationship. It is intended that students will acquire an applied understanding of the Adlerian and Gestalt models of play therapy and the philosophy and skills necessary for counselors to include play therapy as a part of their intervention repertoire.
  1. Prerequisites: Graduate student status in Counseling and Psychological Services or a related field and an introductory course in play therapy; or permission of the instructor.
  1. Justification for the Course: This advanced course in play therapy enables students to develop and apply their theoretical and practical knowledge for using play therapy as a part of their therapeutic repertoire. The specialized principles of play therapy are most appropriately understood and acquired in an authentic learning context. This course is appropriate for students who have already acquired a theoretical foundation in the area of counseling and play therapy. This course is offered as an elective. Because of the applied training aspect of this course, class size should be limited to 15 students.
  1. Course Objectives: This course is designed to enable students to:
  1. Describe the various theoretical approaches to play therapy (Knowledge).
  2. Demonstrate the comprehension of and an ability to employ strategies of Adlerian and Gestalt models of play therapy (Knowledge & Practice).
  3. Implement play therapy in order to create an accepting atmosphere for the client (Social Justice).
  4. Perform physical attending skills that facilitate counselor-client interaction.
  5. Employ the skills of reflective response, limit setting, and structuring during a play therapy session.
  6. Identify and assess the client's concerns (Social Justice).
  7. Conduct an ongoing self-directed inquiry as it relates to the play therapy self-supervision skills (Reflection).
  8. Discuss the legal and ethical issues involved with the practice of play therapy (Social Justice, Leadership).
  9. Describe the impact of multicultural issues in play therapy (Social Justice).
  1. Course Outline:

The Advanced Play Therapy course is expected to give the student an understanding of two of the major theoretical approaches used in play therapy when counseling children. Specific models of play therapy will be introduced which will include using the skills of reflective listening, limit setting, structuring of sessions and identifying themes in children's play (Knowledge). Students will also gain experience in the clinical supervision of play therapy (Collaboration & Leadership). It is intended that the student will have exposure to and/or involvement in the following areas of learning:

A. Models of play therapy;

  1. The Adlerian and Gestalt philosophies of play therapy;
  2. Limit setting and structuring in sessions, using reflective responses;
  3. Themes in children's play;
  4. Adlerian and Gestalt interviews;
  5. Play therapy sessions, both mock and real;
  6. Becoming a professional play therapist;
  7. Group supervision of play therapy sessions; and
  8. Clinical supervision of play therapy sessions.
  1. Methods of Instruction:

Lecture, large group discussion, role playing, large group supervision, out of class assignments, video demonstrations, participation in play therapy session laboratory and course space.

  1. Course Requirements:
  1. Students will maintain a log of their experience of weekly in-class activities and any out-of-class processing assignments (Reflection). 25%
  1. Students are required to submit reaction paper(s) to assigned readings and collaborative presentation.

Students may choose one of the following texts: 50%

Kottman, T. (1995). Partners in play: An Adlerian approach to play therapy.Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

Oaklander, V. (1988). Windows to our children. (4th ed.). Highland, NY: The Gestalt Journal Press.

  1. Students will engage at least one volunteer child using a specific, prescriptive theoretical play therapy approach. This session is to be video taped for later playback (Practice, Authentic Learning).
  1. Students will participate in Association for Play Therapy professional endeavors to be described further in class. 25%
  1. Students will be required to engage in clinical supervision laboratory (Practice, Authentic Learning).
  1. Students will attend class meetings regularly and to be prepared to participate in class activities and discussions.
  1. Students will complete readings assigned by the instructor.
  1. Means of Evaluation: Letter grades will be assigned. To successfully complete the course each student will be expected to:
  1. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of Adlerian and Gestalt play therapy theories and an ability to employ the skills necessary to perform these modalities, as evidenced by class performance and video-taped sessions (Authentic Learning, Knowledge, Practice);
  2. Complete written and reflection assignments on the due date to the satisfaction of the student and the instructor; and
  3. Attend all classes and participate appropriately in discussions and feedback.

Course Schedule
Date / Topic / Assignment
9/13 / Review course outline
Introductions
Review child-centered play therapy
Mock play sessions /
Re-read
Play Therapy by Axline
10/4 / Adlerian Play Therapy
Mock play sessions / Reaction paper due: Kottman
11/8 / Gestalt Play Therapy
Mock play sessions / Reaction paper due: Oaklander
11/15 / Prescriptive play therapy
Mock play sessions / Collaborative project
12/6 / Developing an eclectic model Group supervision of student videos
Final assessment / Video presentations

If you have a disabling condition which may interfere with your ability to successfully complete this course, please contact the Office of Disabled Student Services, 210 Swetman Hall, Phone: 312-3358

***Although academic performance is a crucial factor in evaluating candidate performance, there are other interpersonal and professional skills that are equally important in determining the professional readiness of a particular candidate to enter their chosen field. Therefore, in addition to academic performance, students in the CPS Department will also be evaluated on the following professional readiness indicators.

Indicators of Professional Readiness: Essential characteristics expected of all candidates matriculated in a degree program in the CPS Department are as follows:

  1. Willingness and ability to self-explore and reflect on experiences in order to grow as a professional;
  2. Ability to demonstrate excellent listening skills;
  3. Ability to effectively communicate with others;
  4. Ability to work respectfully, appropriately, and effectively with authority figures including university professors and site supervisors;
  5. Ability to hear and accept critical feedback;
  6. Ability to integrate and make changes based on communicated feedback;
  7. Ability to act according to the professional expectations of the classroom and school/agency placement sites especially with regard to -
  8. Appropriate dress
  9. Promptness
  10. Respectful attitude and behavior;
  1. Ability to work effectively with administrators, staff, students/clients, and parents;
  2. Ability to engage students/clients in a competent, ethical, and professional manner that respects and enhances their inherent dignity and worth;
  3. Demonstrated adherence to the ethical guidelines related to Ability to recognize and value client diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, social class, etc.;
  4. Demonstrated ability to practice in a manner consistent with the ACA/NASP ethical guidelines; especially those related to ensuring the welfare of all students/clients and doing no harm to students/clients.

Bibliography

Barnes, M. A. (1996). The healing path with children: An exploration for parents and professionals. New York, Viktoria, Fermoyle & Berrigan Publishing House.

Bratton, S., & Ray, D. (2000). What research shows about play therapy. International Journal of Play Therapy, 9(1), 47-88.

Carmichael, K. D. (1994). Sand play as elementary school strategy. Elementary School Guidance & Counseling, 28 (4), 302-307.

Cerio, J.D. (1994). Play therapy: A brief primer for school counselors. Journal for the Professional Counselor, 9 (2), 73-80.

Chethik, M. (2000). Techniques of child therapy: Psychodynamic strategies. (2nd. ed.). New York, NY: Guilford.

Duff, S. E. (1996). A study of the effects of group family play on family relations. International Journal of Play Therapy, 5(2), 81-93.

Fall, M. (1994). Physical and emotional expression: A combination approach for working with children in the small areas of a school counselor’s office. School Counselor, 42, 73-77.

Fiorini, J.,& Mullen, J. A. (2006). Counseling children and adolescents through grief

and loss. Champaign, IL: Research Press.

Gil, E. (1994). Play in family therapy. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

Glover, G. J. (1994). The hero child in the alcoholic home: Recommendations for counselors. School Counselor, 41, 185-190.

Kottman, T. (1995). Partners in play: An Adlerian approach to play therapy.

Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

Landreth, G. & Wright, C. S. (1997). Limit setting practices of play therapists in

training and experienced play therapists. International Journal of Play Therapy, 6, 41-62.

McCalla, C.L. (1994). A comparison of three play therapy theories: psychoanalytical, Jungian, and client-centered. International Journal of Play Therapy, 3(1), 1-10.

Mann, D. (1996). Serious play. Teacher’s College Record, 97(3), 446-449.

Matorin, A. I., & McNamara, J. R. (1996). Using board games in therapy with children. International Journal of Play Therapy, 5(2), 3-16.

Mullen, J. A.(2003). It's my party. In Kaduson, H. G. & Shaefer, C., (Eds.), 101 favorite

play therapy techniques, Volume III. pp. 140-143, Northvale: NJ. Jason Aronson.

Mullen, J. A. (2003) This group is not a dating service. In Tyson,L. E., Perusse, R. &

Whitledge, J., (Eds.), Critical Incidents in Group Counseling. pp. 211-216,

Alexandria: VA. American Counseling Association (Invited).

Nemiroff, M.A., & Annunziata, J. (1996). A child’s first book about play therapy.Washington, D.C: American Psychological Association.

Orton, G. L. (1997). Strategies for counseling with children and their parents. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Phillips, E., & Mullen, J. (1999). Client-centered play therapy techniques for elementary school counselors: Building the supportive relationship. Journal of the Professional Counselor, 14, 25-36.

Rogers, A. G. (1995). A shining affliction.New York, NY: Viking.

Roopnarine, J. L., Johnson, J.E. & Hooper, F. H. (Eds.) (1994). Children’s play in diverse cultures.Albany, NY: StateUniversity of New York Press.

Tanner, Z., & Mathis, R. D. (1995). A child-centered typology for training novice play therapists, International Journal of Play Therapy, 4(2), 1-13.

Van Fleet, R. (2000). Understanding and overcoming parent resistance to play therapy, International Journal of Play Therapy, 9(1), 35-46.

Van de Putte, S. J. (1995). A paradigm for working with child abuse survivors of sexual abuse who exhibit sexualized behaviors during play therapy. International Journal of Play Therapy, 4(1), 27-49.

Bibliography of Classic Works in Play Therapy

Axline, V. M. (1947). Play Therapy.New York, NY: Ballantine.

Axline, V. M. (1949). Play therapy experiences as described by child participants.

Journal of Consulting Psychology, 14, 53-63.

Campbell, C. A. (1993). Play, the fabric of elementary school counseling programs. Elementary School Guidance & Counseling, 28 (1), 10-16.

Erikson, E. H. (1963). Childhood and Society. (2nd. ed.). New York, NY: WW Norton.

Freud, A. (1922-1935). Introduction to psychoanalysis: Lectures for child analysts and teachers (Vol.1). New York, NY: International Universities Press.

Gil, E. (1991). The healing powers of play: working with abused children. New

York, NY: The Guilford Press.

Ginott, H. G. (1959). The theory and practice of “Therapeutic Intervention” in child treatment. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 23, 160-166.

Klein, M. (1934). The psychoanalytic play technique. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 25, 223-237.

Kranz, P.L; & Lund, N.L. (1993). 1993: Axline’s eight principles of play therapy

revisited. International Journal of Play Therapy, 2(2), 53-60.

Landreth, G. L. (1991). Play therapy: The art of the relationship.Bristol, PA: Accelerated Development.

Moustakas, C. E. (1953). Children in play therapy: A key to understanding normal and disturbed emotions. New York,NY: McGraw-Hill.

Oaklander, V. (1988). Windows to our children. (4th ed.). Highland, NY: The Gestalt Journal Press.

Webb, N. B. (Ed.) (1991). Play therapy with children in crisis: A case book for

practitioners. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

Webb, W. (1992). Empowering at-risk children. Elementary School Guidance and Counseling, 27, 96-103.