Description

The history of play and play therapy is rich with stories and knowledge of how the field has developed. This workshop is intended to introduce play therapy trainees and practitioners to a timeline of play and play therapy development, along with introductions to the people who made it possible. We will learn how understanding the importance of free play has developed and changed across cultural groups throughout history and how play therapy fits in over time, including the development of theories, approaches, and settings. 

Learning Objectives 

1. Identify at least ten key figures in the history of play therapy.
2. Identify when and how at least five play therapy theories developed.
3. Discuss how free play adapted over at least three historical cultural groups and identify the impact on the development of play therapy.