In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue our summer school series on the essential personality characteristics of effective play therapists. We dive into the second and third principles: unconditional acceptance and creating safety and permissiveness in the relationship, from Garry Landreth's book "Innovations in Play Therapy."

I discuss how unconditional acceptance involves experiencing unqualified acceptance of the child without wishing they were different. This requires patience, flexibility, and creativity from the therapist. I discuss the importance of avoiding judgment, welcoming the child's choices, and meeting them where they are. I emphasize the need to have goals and ideas for therapy without holding specific expectations that could lead to disappointment.

The third principle focuses on creating a feeling of safety and permissiveness in the therapeutic relationship. I explain how this allows children to explore and express themselves fully. We examine the importance of being predictable, steady, consistent, and honest as therapists. I highlight key traits like being patient, friendly, calm, self-confident, and in control to provide emotional safety for the child. Throughout the episode, I stress the significant role our personalities play in child-centered play therapy and the importance of developing these essential characteristics to create successful therapeutic relationships with children.

Episode Reference: Landreth, G. L. (Ed.). (2001). Innovations in play therapy: Issues, process, and special populations. Brunner-Routledge.

 

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Common References: Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley. VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press. Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge. Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group. Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.