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In most playrooms we offer children a variety of toys and materials with the expectation that they will choose what they need to play out what is troubling them. While many children readily engage in pretend play; some may not have the play skills, imaginative abilities, or neural networks to initiate play for processing adverse experiences or emotional challenges. This workshop proposes that gestalt play therapy has the potential to facilitate pretend play and playful activities for those children who struggle to access their self-healing play capacities. Following a review of gestalt theory and foundational principles of gestalt play therapy, we will focus on gestalt techniques that are especially helpful to these children. Invitations to engage in playful activities that open the door for a therapeutic relationship, make contact, strengthen the child’s sense of self and enhance emotional expression will be demonstrated with hands on experiences.
Learning Objectives Participants will be able to:
1. Discuss the gestalt theory for Violet Oaklander’s model for play therapy.
2. Describe six components of the therapeutic process used in Gestalt Play Therapy.
3. Identify at least three situations when a child is unable to initiate meaningful play in a play therapy setting.
4. Practice gestalt techniques to help a child make contact in the relationship, discharge aggressive energy, strengthen and nurture their sense of self.
5. Explain how children develop play skills and pretend play abilities that are used for cognitive, social, and emotional development.
6. Implement a specific gestalt treatment plan that provides a more direct route to healing with activities to scaffold play skills and strengthen inner resources needed to access the therapeutic powers of play.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
2627 Redwing Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80526-6310, United States