Advocating for play therapy: A challenge for an empirically-based practice in the Philippines.

Abstract

Play therapists in the Philippines are confronted with several challenges despite the popularity of play therapy as a treatment modality. Thirty-five Filipino play therapists were surveyed online about their practice as a play therapist, the issues and challenges they encounter, and the strategies they have explored to address these challenges. Their responses were analyzed qualitatively for emerging patterns and dominant themes. Data fell into 2 general categories, namely personal challenges and collaborative challenges, where there seems to be little recognition of play therapy as an effective intervention by other professionals working with children. Strategies employed to deal with these challenges included developing competence as therapists, working with others, and conducting research. Overall, findings suggest that even after 40 years of applying play therapy in the Philippines, there is still a great need to advocate for its usefulness as an effective intervention for children. The implications of this advocacy challenge to the clinical practice and to developing an evidencebased practice are discussed.

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