Overview
Theraplay® is an evidenced-based, attachment-focused intervention utilising non-symbolic, interactional play to re-create experiences of secure attachment formation between parent and child. Therapist-guided short-term, dyadic therapy focuses on improving the child’s behavioural and emotional challenges through the parent-child relationship. In a session, the therapist guides the parent and child through playful games, challenging activities, and nurturing interactions. Theraplay® helps the child experience previously difficult interactions in new ways, helps overcome fear/ shame, increase trust, and create a positive change in the child’s sense of self. Theraplay® helps the parent be attuned to the child, understand the motives of the child’s behaviour and the underlying needs, manage environmental stimuli, and carefully challenge their child in a safe place. While other therapies may work primarily with the child alone or work with parents on managing the child’s behaviours, Theraplay® has shown that the parent-child relationship is the most powerful and influential element for change. It is also a complementary approach to Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (developed by Dan Hughes).
Theraplay® has been used successfully to help:
- Children with developmental trauma
- Shy, withdrawn children
- Overactive, controlling or aggressive children
- Foster/adoptive children with attachment difficulties
- Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder & Pervasive Development Disorder
- Children with physical disabilities, developmental delays or those who are non-verbal
- Children who live in group settings
- Early childhood students and others who receive services in group settings
This four-day workshop is for practitioners wanting to use Theraplay® Informed Practice in their work and is suitable for practitioners working with children and families ranging from Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, Clinical Counsellors, Family Therapists, Counsellors, Play Therapists, Special Education & Early Childhood Specialists, Teachers, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Residential Care Workers and Foster Support Workers.
Participants are referred to the Theraplay® book which underpins the approach (and advised to read chapters 1, 2 & 4 prior to attending).
THERAPLAY BOOKS & RESOURCES
Learning Outcomes
You will learn:
- History, core concepts & evidence base of Theraplay®
- The four dimensions of Theraplay®: Structure, Engagement, Nurture & Challenge. Undertake activities for each of the dimensions
- Administer the Marshack Interaction Method (MIM) & analyse it at a beginning level
- Conduct feedback sessions with parents based upon the MIM analysis
- Use the MIM as a guideline for Theraplay® treatment planning
- Observe demonstrations of Theraplay® treatment and techniques
- Practice Theraplay® activities in dyads
- Identify the types of behaviours that require a particular dimension
- Utilise the four Theraplay® dimensions to treat the specific needs of a child
- How Theraplay® is applied to meet the needs of children with behaviour problems, foster and adopted children, children with ASD, & older children
- How to guide parents to participate in a Theraplay® treatment session
Presenter(s)
Alison Saxton & Brittney Wadforth
About the presenter(s)
Alison Saxton
Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology) (PhD), Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Member of Australian Association of Psychologists inc. (MAAPi)
Registered Psychologist and Authorised Supervisor (Psychology Board of Australia AHPRA)
Certified Theraplay® Practitioner and Trainer, Theraplay® Supervisor in Training
Dr Alison Saxton is a Psychologist and Certified Theraplay® Practitioner and Trainer with 20 years of experience working in the trauma, child protection and out of home care field in Health, Statutory, Education and non-government services. She provides clinical supervision and consultation and is a guest lecturer in post graduate psychology.
Brittney Wadforth
Brittany is a Psychologist with ten years of experience in community, public health, and private practice settings across rural and metropolitan Australia. She specialises in individual (paediatric, adolescent, and adult) and dyadic (parent-child) assessment and interventions across various mental health domains. Additionally, she consults and teaches mental health professionals nationwide.
Notes
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