A case application of Adlerian play therapy with teachers to combat burnout and foster resilience.

Abstract

Students’ achievement is positively correlated with teacher encouragement. This article focuses on the use of Adlerian group play therapy principles and techniques to foster teacher resiliency and reduce burnout. A review of the factors impacting teacher burnout, a description of the practice of Adlerian group play therapy, and the benefits of play techniques with adults will be provided. A case applying Adlerian group play therapy principles and techniques with teachers for the purpose of combating teacher burnout and fostering resilience will be presented and discussed, including considerations for implementation within a school setting.

The effect of Adlerian play therapy on the alexithymia and social isolation of deaf students.

“…AdPT helps clients obtain a logical understanding of how they view the world, others, and themselves through activities, play, and art. Findings support the importance of AdPT in real-world settings for children (Born & Fenster, 2022). Although the main focus of the first phase of AdPT is building a relationship with the client, the therapist continues to strengthen the relationship throughout all phases of the treatment plan (Kottman, 2011).…”

“…These findings are consistent with the results of some research. For example, Born and Fenster (2022) suggested that AdPT had a significant improvement in the resiliency of teachers. The sample of this study was teachers, but the sample of the present study was deaf students.…”

“…Play therapy seems beneficial for children (Hindman et al, 2022). In the play therapy interventions, Kottman (2003) developed Adlerian play therapy (AdPT) as an effective treatment for children (Akay, 2013; Born & Fenster, 2022), adolescents, and families (Lambert et al, 2007; Meany-Walen & Kottman, 2017). AdPT includes directive and nondirective techniques to help individuals gain a rational understanding of themselves and others and facilitates the improvement of alexithymia and social isolation (Akay, 2013; Born & Fenster, 2022).…”

“…Adlerian play therapy (AdPT) is a model of play therapy based on Alfred Adler’s theory (Evans, 2020). Indeed, Kottman (2003) combined the play therapy techniques and principles with the individual psychology concepts of to design AdPT as a therapeutic intervention (Born & Fenster, 2022). Kottman also said that AdPT requires attention to areas that children need to master to grow up healthy.…”

“…However, particular prerequisites for expressing emotions appropriately and learning social skills have been addressed in this population. Born and Fenster (2022) suggested that AdPT had a significant impact on increasing resiliency and reducing teachers’ burnout. Research by Chen et al (2021) indicated that children who received AdPT showed significant improvements in emotional distress, attachment, and parent–child relationships.…”