Play Therapy Demonstration

Play Therapy WRITTEN Session Demonstration Assignment Instructions:
The student will view a play therapy session, read and familiarize themselves with Chapters 6 and 9, (The Play Therapist and Beginning the Relationship: The Child’s Hour), prior to  the play therapy session and based on that review the student will conduct a: 
 
( MAKE BELIEVE SESSION) 1.Session Demonstration. Each student will complete and provide one 30 minute (minimum) counseling session with a child.  You are not a licensed counselor so DO NOT select a child experiencing behavior problems or family issues. DO NOT select your child or a child that you know closely. AND, you are NOT to provide any type of counseling/therapy during the session.  You are to observe and interact with the child only based on play therapy techniques.  Items to be included in this assignment are:

1.3. Case Study Summarization. A summarization of the  session shall be completed as a case study and should specifically reflect a play therapy approach.

1.4. Self-Evaluation. Each student will self-evaluate his/her play therapy skills as part of the case study (see below).

2. Case Study Summarization/Self-Evaluation of the Session Demonstration. Each student will complete a case study summarization of the session with the child.  Prior to completing the summarization paper complete the basic play therapy skill rating sheet as a guide to the paper. The assignment is required to be a minimum of 5 pages.  A minimum of 5 in text citations are required.  (NOT including coversheet or references). (APA Style & Format – coversheet, in text citations, and references).

I.  Introduction- The initial paragraphs lay out the background information about the client. The client’s full name should not be used. Much of this information may be drawn from your personal information about the child and may include informal observations. (As this “client” is a child without a presenting problem or issues no formal information is required.)

II. Conceptualization- Here the discussion should focus on the therapeutic goals and strategies. Justification for the use of play therapy should be discussed as well as the focus on the theoretical orientation of child-centered play therapy. Additionally, an understanding of play therapy based on any number of identification from the textbook may be cited. 5 In text citations shall be utilized and cited in APA format for referenced material.

III. Process- Actual client contact is described. What happened in the session? Present sequenced information for the session held with child. How did the student’s relationship with the child changed over time? 

IV. Outcomes- A description of the results/outcomes/changes in play should be reported here. This may be brief as the child does not have a presenting problem or issue but may include changes of play themes during the session. 

V.  Discussion/Concluding Paragraph- With the benefit of hindsight as well as observation and lessons learned an explanation of change and growth for the student/counselor should be provided. This may include, but not limited to, reflections of growth in comfort with play therapy, comfort with the unique techniques & skills needed for PT, and future plans for use of PT. This should be followed by a concluding reflection.
 *In text citations and APA Style References