Mentor/s
Amanda Moras Mark Jareb
Participation Type
Poster
Abstract
At its core, play therapy is based on the meaning of play itself, “the central experience for the child in helping her make sense of the world around her” (Cattanach, 2008). By using a concept such as play, that is much more familiar to the child, they are able to tap into feelings, emotions, and memories that they may not have been able to express using words alone; Melanie Klein refers to play therapy as “furnished direct access to the child’s unconscious”. For many children who have gone through traumas whether it be their home life, a medical diagnosis, or anything in between, play therapy is an extremely useful tool that can be helpful to both the healthcare providers and the children in their healing process. When researching the effects of play therapy in abused children the Freudian concept is discussed, “children repeat in their play everything that has made a great impression on them in actual life” (Cattanach, 2008). In the lives of children, play therapy can be an extremely helpful tool in order for them to make sense of their own life experiences, as well as being a telling communication tool for the adults around them to understand how the children are feeling. Through a process of relationship building, play, and many other components of therapy, children are able to get similar benefits that adults do from therapy, that are tailored to their needs and cognitive function. Play therapy can be used in conjunction with other therapy methods to provide help and healing to children with trauma, and, when given the attention it deserves, can also be used to help children of marginalized communities.
College and Major available
Psychology BS
Location
Digital Commons
Start Day/Time
5-5-2021 1:00 PM
End Day/Time
5-5-2021 4:00 PM
Prize Categories
Most Scholarly Impact or Potential, Most Creative, Most Meaningful
Play Therapy in Children with Trauma
Digital Commons
At its core, play therapy is based on the meaning of play itself, “the central experience for the child in helping her make sense of the world around her” (Cattanach, 2008). By using a concept such as play, that is much more familiar to the child, they are able to tap into feelings, emotions, and memories that they may not have been able to express using words alone; Melanie Klein refers to play therapy as “furnished direct access to the child’s unconscious”. For many children who have gone through traumas whether it be their home life, a medical diagnosis, or anything in between, play therapy is an extremely useful tool that can be helpful to both the healthcare providers and the children in their healing process. When researching the effects of play therapy in abused children the Freudian concept is discussed, “children repeat in their play everything that has made a great impression on them in actual life” (Cattanach, 2008). In the lives of children, play therapy can be an extremely helpful tool in order for them to make sense of their own life experiences, as well as being a telling communication tool for the adults around them to understand how the children are feeling. Through a process of relationship building, play, and many other components of therapy, children are able to get similar benefits that adults do from therapy, that are tailored to their needs and cognitive function. Play therapy can be used in conjunction with other therapy methods to provide help and healing to children with trauma, and, when given the attention it deserves, can also be used to help children of marginalized communities.
Students' Information
Cassidy Woods, B.S. Psychology, Honors Minor, 2021 Graduation