Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic Play Therapy is a form of non-directive Play Therapy that “embraces a belief that children can grow and heal when a growth-producing climate is provided for them, free from agenda and constriction”
(Charles E. Schaefer)

Play Therapists will create a warm and safe environment that enables the child to explore using toys to practise their own skills in a way that makes sense to them. Play often makes more sense to children and allows them to communicate in a way that they are often more comfortable with than verbalising.

Child-centred Play Therapy is a process of using empathy, attention (also known as tracking) and age-appropriate play that allow the child to heal and grow through their own play-based self-exploration. The easiest way to explain this process is to understand that it is adult-facilitated and child-lead (Cochran Nordlin and Cochran. 2020). Too are carefully selected allowing the child to express what they are feeling with or without words. This process isn't just play. The therapist uses well-defined skills that are consistent and predictable thus allowing the child to express their thoughts and emotions.

Humanistic Play in schools

In school environments, Humanistic Play Therapy can support emotional and behavioural concerns which are acknowledged as impeding on academic progress. Play Therapy in schools can allow children to build positive school relationships, feel safer and accept themselves with positive regard . Play Therapy has been seen to improve academic scores in children who have learning disabilities.

What Is Tracking?

Often the Play Therapists use a special skill in therapy called ‘tracking’. This is when the therapist describes the behaviours of the client or the actions they are undertaking as part of their play. The reason this is done is to allow the child to know that their actions are important and that the therapist is recognising them. Tracking also allows the therapist to develop relationships with the client as their actions are noticed. It allows the child to feel special

What sort of toys are used in Humanistic Play Therapy?

Whilst it may look like just a room of toys. Rest assured that your therapist has carefully selected toys to assist your child. These toys aid in the choice of expression and allow your child to test limits, develop a positive sense of self-image and may even assist with self-control. These toys may include but a not limited to:

Craft
Miniatures like cars and little people
Sand
Dress ups
Board games,
Dolls and teddies

Doctors toys
Dolls houses
Puppets