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The norm in play therapy, and the mental health profession in general, is to meet with a child or teen every week for individual counseling sessions and meet with parents as an adjunct to treatment.

This format has been around for decades and is the approach taught in most universities.  

I’ve always been a believer that this isn’t the best way to help children heal.

Don’t get me wrong – individual play therapy counseling is beneficial and I use it with my clients.  

Individual counseling allows the ability to provide a space where children and teens can have your undivided attention and support.  Who doesn’t love that, right?!

However, if play therapists only conceptualize the individual child then they miss out on influential dynamics impacting the child’s everyday life.

I’m referring to conceptualizing the child within the context of their larger family system and the influence of generational family dynamics on children. (Can I hear an Amen! from my marriage & family therapy peeps?!)

Family play therapy sessions allow play therapists to see in real time the relationship interaction patterns among children and their family members.  

What’s the saying?   – No man is an island unto himself.

We are all influenced by and influence our family members through the generations.

So – which is best – individual play therapy or family play therapy?

I’ll be discussing the benefits and drawbacks of individual play therapy and family play therapy.  Spoiler alert – I’m not an either-or kind of person generally speaking.  

Grab your coffee, tea, or other beverage and join us for this week’s episode and share the information with your colleagues!  

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Check out my free resources for mental health professionals working with children, adolescents, and families who want to integrate play therapy and expressive arts into their clinical work.

I work with individuals and agencies to develop successful strategies and meet the treatment needs of your child and adolescent clients and their families using play therapy & expressive arts.

Contact me to schedule a free 30-minute video call if you're ready to level up your skills