Description

The history of play and play therapy is rich with stories and knowledge of how the field as a whole has developed. This workshop is intended to introduce play therapy trainees and practitioners to a timeline of the development of play and play therapy, along with introductions to the people who made it possible. We will learn how the importance of free play has developed and changed across cultural groups throughout history while also discussing the role played in society over time. This discussion of the history of play naturally leads into the development of play therapy. A timeline of the development of play therapy will be discussed, covering theoretical development, key figures, approaches, and settings. This training will cover the history of the 10 seminal and historically significant theories from a neutral perspective, focusing on the importance of each as the field of play therapy continues to develop and grow.

Learning Objectives 

At the end of this training, participants will be able to…

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