Play therapy is an approach to help children develop a strong sense of self and help children develop healthy relationships. Trice-Black, Bailey, and Riehel suggest that play therapy “provides children and adolescents with the opportunity to develop an awareness of their feelings, respect for those feelings, and expression and acceptance of those feelings (Trice-Black, Bailey, & Riechel, 2013).” A school counselor can use multiple strategies during play therapy sessions. These play therapy skills included tracking, restating content, reflecting feelings, returning responsibility to the child, using the child’s metaphor, and limiting (Vernon, 2009).
Scenario One: Glenda, a 6-year-old, was referred because she seems to be extremely distressed …show more content…
A counselor should continue using her metaphor with the toy soldiers, because she seemed to be acted out something that she has seen or some feeling she has towards a certain type of people. The soldiers represent something negative taking place in her life, a counselor can figure out the representation to help Lee solve her problem. If Lee behavior escalates, a counselor would need to use the limiting skill. Setting limits not only protects the child and counselor but teaches the child self-control and responsibility.
Scenario Three: Christina, an 8-year-old whose presenting problem is anxiety and depression, begins to draw a picture, turns to you, and says, “I am going to paint this picture for you. What do you want me to paint?”
The best course of action a school counselor can take with Christina is to return responsibility to the child. This strategy “is designed to increase children’s self-reliance, self-confidence, and self-responsibility (Vernon, 2009, p. 132).” A direct response similar to “You can decide what to paint” will allow Christina to take control of her decision. Due to the fact that Christina is struggling with anxiety and depression, the counselor should be encouraging and supportive of her
Scenario One: Glenda, a 6-year-old, was referred because she seems to be extremely distressed …show more content…
A counselor should continue using her metaphor with the toy soldiers, because she seemed to be acted out something that she has seen or some feeling she has towards a certain type of people. The soldiers represent something negative taking place in her life, a counselor can figure out the representation to help Lee solve her problem. If Lee behavior escalates, a counselor would need to use the limiting skill. Setting limits not only protects the child and counselor but teaches the child self-control and responsibility.
Scenario Three: Christina, an 8-year-old whose presenting problem is anxiety and depression, begins to draw a picture, turns to you, and says, “I am going to paint this picture for you. What do you want me to paint?”
The best course of action a school counselor can take with Christina is to return responsibility to the child. This strategy “is designed to increase children’s self-reliance, self-confidence, and self-responsibility (Vernon, 2009, p. 132).” A direct response similar to “You can decide what to paint” will allow Christina to take control of her decision. Due to the fact that Christina is struggling with anxiety and depression, the counselor should be encouraging and supportive of her