Last year, I have had a course about experimental play therapy . You can think that it is an ordinary course but it is not because i had a chance to take this course from a student of Prof. Dr. Byron Norton – one of the creators of experiemntal play therapy- In this content , i will explain what i learned.
While some people remember certain events in details , the rest of them forget easily. Actually, there is a latent memory storing all experiences from birth to death. Hence, children save even incidents that look unimportant,too.
Traumatic incidents that children experienced can leave a trace changing accoardingly intense of the trauma. Feelings such as extremely anxiety , horror or anger can emerge in children's behaviors based on old and new traumas.
As Dr. Byron Norton says '' Children and elephants never forget...'' Especially , if the trauma experienced in ages that children cannot express themselves verbally, experiancal play therapy is first necessary approach.
To be traumatized or not to be traumatized, it is almost impossible to participate in children's world with words. Experiencal play theory is a method using symbols and toys rather than talking directly about problems encountered. Children at ages 3-11 with extremely anxiety, anger and a disease or lived any disaster can reflect themselves deeper.
Children doesn not reflect themselves kadar trusting the therapist and even may turn their backs to the therapist. After trusting process, children start to play tha main trauma and express their all traumas with games. In this term, the most important thing is to do what children want and to fullfill the roles that children give.
A Therapist should not think that he/she know the best for the child and should not interfere the child's pains without permission. The therapist does not change the places of toys ;therefore , the child know where his toys are. Additionally, the therapist should be ready to face the unknown in every session. He/She acts like the child wants such as active role, passive role and silence. Besides, he/she makes their relationship based on trust,sincerity and espousing.
The Topics Experimental Play Therapy Helps
Alcohol in family
Disasters
Stress in family
Social Problems
Trauma
Witnessing to violence
Emotion disorder
Commitment disorder
The Topics Experimental Play Theory Could NOT Help
Conduct Disordeer
Psycosis signs ( hallucination)
Play Room
Plane
Animals
Balls
Trucks/Cars/Ships
Potty Putty
Repair Bag
Kitchenware
The figures of Family / Soldiers
Doll / Baby Bottle
Box / Key
Couple Games
Wand
Knife / Sword / Gun
Instruments
Money, Gold
Paper / Pencil
Marionette
Casa
Sandpit
Telephone / Binoculars
Of course , all of them are to are toys.
The child will ask questions like why this toy is here ? How are you playing with these toys ? And are you playing with other children? '' in exploring process. The child should believe in that the therapist will believe in his pain and accept him in all extents to provide confidence. After providing confidence , the child starts to play trauma with metaphors and control is in the child's power. If the therapis is not invited to game , her/his duty is to reflect the child's behavior. In trauma session, the child reveals all agressive feelings and appointmens canceled should be paid attention .
Termination Stage
The child is ready to play with his friends.
It is the end of a important relationship.
Talking to parents
Termination is decided by therapist , not by family
It should not be said somethings like see you later in future
At least 2 session for termination
Termination is informed in the first minutes of the session to devote time for child's reactions.