Non Directive Play Therapy Essay

According to the American Association of Counseling, “Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals”. It is a scientific process where an expert provide assistance to a person in need in order to help him to attain some form of happiness or simply to adjust to a life situation where a more experienced person helps a less experienced person to find a solution to his problem. There are three main approaches used by counselors to handle various kind of situation, namely Directive Counseling, Non- Directive Counseling and Eclectic Counseling.

Directive Counseling also known as the counselor- centered approach is mainly advocated by E.G Williamson. The client is directed by the counselor to take
It was based on the assumption that non-directive play therapy may enhance and accelerate emotional/social development of children with severe autism. They have demonstrated that a six and a half year old, autistic boy has been able to develop attachment, autonomy and acceptance within a playroom setting. He has also showed more independence as the therapy progressed. This case study clearly signifies that lack of autonomy and lack of initiative in children with autism as well as normal children can be counteract through non- directive play therapy to enhance their development. It is also highlighted that emotional needs can be identified through non-directive play therapy.

Unfortunately non directive approach has often been characterized as more time consuming compared to results obtained. Since it is subjective to one person’s feelings, it is a case to case approach which cannot be used in settings like the school and also the passive attitude of the counselor or therapist may block initiatives or feelings from the