Title: The Power of Involving Parents / Families In the Play Therapy Process to Facilitate The Child’s Healing
Presenter: Prof. Sue Bratton
*A total of 6 CE credit hours approved by Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA), Hong Kong Academy of Play Therapy (HKAPT) and Asian Professional Counselling & Psychology Association (APCPA);
The Hong Kong Psychological Society Ltd (HKPS):
DCP: Maximum 6 CEUs per day
DEP: 6 CEUs
DCoP: 1 CEU per hour
Abstract:
Research shows the effectiveness of play therapy can be significantly enhanced by including parents in children’s therapy and has the added benefits of preventing future problems by strengthening familial relationships and teaching/modeling more effective ways for parents to relate to and form a closer relationship with their child. Grounded in child-centered play therapy, interpersonal neurobiology and attachment theory, Dr. Bratton will present strategies for involving parents as therapeutic partners in the child’s healing process dependent on child and parent readiness, including 1) initial play-based assessment, 2) working with the family as an adjunct to individual play therapy through parent consultation and family play therapy interventions, and 3) involving parents fully in the play therapy process as the therapeutic change agent under the direct supervision of a qualified play therapist via Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT). Dr. Bratton will provide an overview of CPRT including specific CCPT-based attitudes and skills that parents learn to use in weekly supervised special playtimes with their children: Be-with attitudes, conveying unconditional acceptance, reflective responding, therapeutic limit setting, choice giving, and encouragement. Participants will gain access to a comprehensive data base of CPRT outcome research that supports its use with a range of presenting issue and diverse populations, including its successful use with Chinese families. Through case examples and illustrations, participants will also learn (and experience a few) family play therapy interventions designed to engage families in the therapeutic process with therapist support.