Nondirective Play Therapy Paper

Non-directive and directive play therapy defined
Nondirective play therapy is a therapy method in which therapists are taught to have a hands-off approach to play therapy with their clients. The children direct their own play, rather than the therapist directing the child’s activities during the therapy sessions. This allows the child to play at their leisure and necessitates that the therapist become ensconced in the child’s self-directed imaginative play, rather than the child adhering to the therapist’s direction, which may be beyond the child’s comprehension. (Kenney-Noziska, et al., 2012).
In a nondirective play setting, there are many toys of varying styles, sizes, colors, shapes, etc., that a child can use to personify and exhibit their emotions without the discomfort of having to talk about what is troubling them. The ways in which they play with or position their toys communicates to the therapist what the child is thinking or feeling. During the course of therapy, therapists can detect trends, patterns, and can develop insight as to what the child is saying without the use of words. (Schaeffer, 2011).
Nondirective play therapy differs from directive play therapy in that the child is given the freedom and
This approach allows parents to develop closer relationships with their children, develop stronger family attachments, and learn how to appropriately bond with others. In filial family play therapy, caregivers and parents play an active role in encouraging therapeutic behavior modification. Families that choose to employ this therapy method undergo training to ensure they know how to properly respond to their children during therapy