Presence – important when playing with your children as well as for therapists establishing a therapeutic relationship

Play Therapists trained to Play Therapy UK standards use Axline's principles of non-directive play therapy, where the child chooses what they want to play with. The therapist then communicates with the child using the ‘medium’ such as drawing, sand tray worlds, clay, music, puppets etc that it has chosen.

But how do therapists share their true selves with their clients while remaining non-directive and maintaining the boundaries of a healthy therapeutic relationship? This is achieved through the state of being present in the room. This includes bringing one's whole self into the engagement with clients by being completely in the moment on multiple levels: physically, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually, being fully immersed in the moment, without judgment or expectation, being with and for the client.

The therapist is totally open to the client, while also remaining separate and aware of their own thoughts and feelings.

Parents can engage in a similar relationship with their children by letting them choose how they want to play and being fully with them when playing and focussing closely upon them. See what a difference it makes.

Find your local Play Therapists: www.playtherapyregister.org.uk

Further information about training to PTUK standards: http://www.playtherapy.org.uk/trainingcoursescontent.html

Find out more – attend a 1-day Introduction to Play Therapy Course

10 venues throughout the UK.

Did you know that presence is very important when playing with your children as well as for therapists establishing a sound therapeutic relationship?

See: www.playtherapy.org.uk

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Tel: 01825 761143

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