Description:

Psychodynamic play therapy addresses psychological functioning beyond observable behavior. Understanding this theoretical orientation is important when working with children who often conceal, disguise, or act out their difficulties and underlying emotions. This introductory workshop will introduce key concepts of psychodynamic theories with focus on their application in play therapy. Topics to be discussed include: assessment, defense mechanisms, transference, countertransference, resistance, the roles of the play therapist, working with parents, and termination issues. Clinical case material and movie clips will be used to illustrate concepts and play materials for use with various types of presenting problems will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and describe psychodynamic principles in play therapy
• Demonstrate how to conduct a play therapy psychodynamic assessment 
• Explain how to use initial play therapy sessions to develop an understanding of the child’s internal world
• Discuss how to work with transference, countertransference, and resistance in play therapy
• Describe how to build a therapeutic alliance with parents of children who are in play therapy
• Describe the diverse roles of the psychodynamic play therapist
• Discuss how to deal with termination in play therapy