Stages of Child Centred Play Therapy

A child who attends Child Centered Play Therapy will usually progress through four main stages.  Each child will progress through the stages differently and there is no right or wrong way.  A child may progress through stages in a consecutive order or move backwards and forwards through the stages.  The child’s progress is dependent on their individual experiences of the world to understand and work through their challenges.

Stage 1 Warm up Stage or Exploratory Stage

• Developing a sense of what the therapy space is for and what they can or cannot do.
• Exploration of the therapy room and getting to know the therapist.
• Testing the limits and boundaries with the therapist.

Stage 2 Aggressive or Testing for protection Stage

• When a child feels secure enough in the therapeutic relationship they will start to express their presenting issues (e.g., anger, behavioural concerns) and feel safe to test the boundaries.
• Limits may be set with the child (e.g., supporting the child to remain in the room, providing options for the child to express their anger)
• The child learns to understand their inner selves and heal by learning skills through play.
• The child expresses themselves and their presenting problems and feels accepted, safe and supported.

Stage 3 Regressive or Dependency Stage

• Working through safety and protection concerns, grief and loss, separation, understanding good or bad or feelings of low self-esteem.
• The child may exhibit increased dependency or regressive behaviour’s to help them to feel safe (e.g., asking the therapist to do things for them that are able to do for themselves, acting like a baby).
• The therapist facilitates progress by supporting the child to express their inner-self (thoughts, feelings/emotions and belief’s) and engage in problem solving.

Stage 4 Mastery or Therapeutic Growth Stage

• A resolution is reached, the child feels good about themselves and different behaviours are present (reduction of problematic or challenging behaviours).
• A confident sense of self, self-acceptance and worth through mastery of self-directed and appropriate expressions of their unique personality (their true self) develops.
• The child is able to express their feelings/emotions and understanding of the world freely with no/minimal distress.
• The child learns a sense of control (not needing to be in control) to choose and apply effective problem solving and emotion regulation skills that facilitates resilience and self-efficacy.

NOTE: When a child reaches a resolution the child may need another (1-4) sessions to consolidate the changes, prepare the child for termination of therapy and to say good-bye to the therapist and the therapy play room.

The information provided was compiled by Natalie Marques (Registered Psychologist) with reference to authors and Child Centered Play Therapists Dr. Garry Landreth, Louise Guerney, and Jewel Janan.

If you are interested in other Child related Psychologist services you can read more here