‘An Introduction to Child Centered Play Therapy’

A 2-day Workshop

Date: 17,18,19 February 2011

Venue: The Nest Kahikatea Drive, Hamilton

Course Presenters: Judi Jacobsen MNZAC (play therapist, counsellor) & Megan Longman MNZASW (play therapist, social worker)

Child Centered Play Therapy

The play therapy model presented at the workshop is Child Centered Play Therapy (CCPT). In CCPT, there is an underlying belief in and trust of the inner person of the child and their innate capacity to strive towards growth and maturity. The Child Centered Play Therapist is concerned with developing the kind of relationship that facilitates inner emotional growth and children’s belief in themselves. CCPT is an attitude, a philosophy, and a way of being with children rather than a way of doing something to or for children (The Art of Relationship, Garry Landreth, 2002). Play is the natural world of a child, and in their play a child can express their thoughts and feelings and come to an understanding of their world. Within the unique relationship that is developed between the child and therapist, the child learns to value and respect themselves; to recognise their strengths, values and abilities; and to trust in their own ability to make decisions which are based on an internal wisdom and not on external pressures.

‘An Introduction to Child Centered Play Therapy’ will be of interest to counsellors, social workers, teachers, early childhood educators, psychotherapists, psychologists, creative art therapists, and others who work with children, as well as students who are training in these areas.

Content of Workshop

The philosophy and principles of CCPT

What is CCPT, who it can help, and how it can help

The process of building a relationship with a child

Therapeutic language that shows a true belief in the person of the child: The four healing messages – I am here, I hear you, I understand and I care

Noticing, listening, acknowledging, and therapeutic limit setting

Following the child’s lead

Returning responsibility to the child

Facilitating the development of children’s strengths

Building a child’s self-esteem

Participating in a child’s play without structuring

Empowering children

Ways of responding outside of the playroom—greeting a child and saying goodbye.

Responding to a child who is reluctant to leave the playroom

Rationale & Goals for Workshop

Child Centered Play Therapy comes from a solid theoretical base and it is now recognised as one of the most effective ways of working with children who have been exposed to trauma. This workshop offers course participants a glimpse into the fascinating world of CCPT, and we anticipate that course participants will leave the workshop with a greater knowledge and understanding of CCPT as well as an awareness of the efficacy of this approach when working with children. Participants will be able to take away with them a broader and deeper range of facilitative responses, as well as an understanding of the philosophy behind these, to use in their daily interactions with children.

With no formal training or workshops available for CCPT in New Zealand, this workshop is unique. It offers course participants the opportunity to experience first-hand this very safe and deeply respectful way of working with children who have been exposed to trauma and who are experiencing
difficulties in their lives.

judi@childplayworks.co.nz

www.childplayworks.co.nz

To read more, please see this article.