Veronica is a provider of services for 'Helping Children with Autism' (click here for more information on this initiative) and the 'Better Start for Children with a Disability' (click here for more information on this initiative) funded by the Department of Social Services (January 2014) 

Art & Play Therapy

Play has been recognized as important since the time of Plato (429-347 BC) who observed, "you can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation." The first documented case describing the therapeutic use of play occurred in 1909 when Sigmund Freud published his work with "Little Hans," a five-year-old child suffering from a simple phobia. Freud saw him once briefly and recommended that his father take note of Hans' play to provide insights that might assist the child. The case of "Little Hans" was the first case in which a child's difficulty was related to emotional factors  Frequently Asked Questions. (2009). Retrieved Jan 8 2009 from http://www.a4pt.org/ps.index.cfm?ID=2304 

Veronica is a provider of services for 'Helping Children with Autism' (click here for more information on this initiative) and the 'Better Start for Children with a Disability' (click here for more information on this initiative) funded by the Department of Social Services (January 2014) 

Directive & Non- Directive Art and Play Therapy.

There are two ways of working with children when using Art and Play Therapy-These are referred to as Directive and Non Directive. With directive the therapist leads the way in play selecting modes of play, art or symbol work to try and externalise internal and unresolved issues within the child. 

With non-directive the child, in the presence of the threapist, directs the art and play mediums. The therapist reflects the ‘play’ back to the child so that the child develops insight into their play (suitable for a child to 12 years) The child is permitted to lead the way and has the opportunity to explore and express a wide range of feelings in a safe environment within the play room. In this environment they will come to understand themselves and their feelings better; master new skills; assimilate new experiences into their view of the world, while at the same time learn new coping and problem solving skills. In leading the way, and developing problem solving skills they will learn how to work through conflicts reducing maladaptive behaviour,  increasing  confidence and improving their ability to self-regulate and aid their normal development.Van Fleet, R. (2005) Filial Therapy Strengthening Parent-Child Relationships Through Play. Boiling Springs: Professional Resource Press. 

Examples of children's work in a Non- Directive approach.

The children are given free range to select the objects wanted and to apply their meaning to the symbols as they recreate and talk about their inner world

The use of a variety of toys 

It is beneficial to provide a variety of toys for the child to play with so that they can ‘play out’ multiple situations, for eg to facilitate family and school issues. A variety of toys can provoke a wide range of emotional responses so that the child can learn of their emotions; can come to understand them, and learn how to deal with them appropriately  A variety of toys allows for imaginative play for the different genders and interests of each child. In providing a diverse range the child has the opportunity to project features or characteristics onto the toys to suit the style and type of play.

• Aggressive toys show acceptability by the therapist to displays of aggression and anger
• Construction toys facilitate mastery, competition and co-operation
• Other forms of media such as sand, paper, clay and pens are also useful to express emotions.

Other things that you might see being used by the child in Directive and Non-Directive Art and Play Therapy

•  Drawing 
•  Painting
•  Modeling & Sculpting 
•  Sand Play
• Story Telling
• Symbols; figurines
• Story Making
•  Image cards 
•  Puppets
•  Craft 

 ( Reference: Rise Van Fleet (Executive Producer). (1997, 2006). Child-centered play therapy: A DVD Workshop (Part 1 & 2) [DVDs]. Boiling Springs: Play Therapy Press. )

Van Fleet, R

The Art and Play Therapy Room for children 5yrs to 12 yrs