Description:

Many therapists are now involved in treating a combination of Mood Disorders and/or Disruptive Disorders. This workshop will review the main Disruptive Disorders (Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, as well as Unipolar and Bipolar Disorders). Participants will learn the similarities among these disorders in order to in the play therapy treatment of children with difficult behaviors. In addition, participants will learn some effective parenting tips to help the families of children diagnosed with these disorders. Activities during this workshop will illustrate how to help children channel anger, enhance verbalization of feelings, and release built up tension. DVD presentations will illustrate many of the techniques that are used.

Learning Objectives:

• Define the Disruptive and Mood Disorders commonly seen in outpatient treatment
• Identify play therapy techniques to reduce behavioral issues
• Describe different play therapy non-directive and directive methods to relieve psychological stress
• Explain the differences of disruptive disorders with a neurological versus emotional basis
• Discuss the difficulties that play therapists face with this population of children
• Describe the input of parents in play therapy sessions and how that may impair the child’s success.