Getting to Know O’Connor: Experiencing the Ecosystemic Play Therapy Model With Urban First Nations People

Abstract

Children’s play behaviors are generally fun for them, but the same cannot be said for children who need clinical help. Play therapy seeks to resolve psychosocial difficulties and reestablish a child’s ability to play and function normally (O’Connor, 2000). Ecosystemic play therapy (EPT) integrates a variety of techniques and theories to create a single model that ‘‘addresses the total child within the context of the child’s ecosystem’’ (O’Connor, 2000, p. 87). Particularly when balancing between a culture of origin, a dominant culture, and the needs of an acculturating child, it is important to use play therapy models that include the caregivers in the therapeutic process (O’Connor, 2005b). The ecosystemic model is that caliber of therapy. This article will act as a catalyst for becoming reacquainted with the ecosystemic model, including a brief history, the major components and techniques, and a case example involving an Urban First Nations family.

The Curative Power of Play: The Voices of Therapists around the World

“…Ecosystemic play therapy includes caregivers in the therapeutic process in order to ensure solid change over time (Boyer, 2010). However, the attitudes of caregivers around the world can be very different.…”

“…Therapists have to acquire knowledge of the ecosystems of the children, their families, communities and skills to work with them, in order to foster healthy development and well-being (Boyer, 2010). The study at hand was designed with this query in mind.…”

“…Hendricks (2008) asserts that the diversity of cultural values informs what play looks like, influencing how children and adults engage in the playing process. Play therapists must find congruence between the clients' cultural experience and the therapeutic treatment goals and intervention (Boyer, 2010). The choices of play and toys in the therapeutic session must be compatible to the clients' cultural background, their values and beliefs in order to promote healing.…”

“…The Ecosystemic Play Therapy (EPT) model highlights the focus for healing on "the total child within the context of the child's ecosystem" (O'Connor, 2000, p. 87). This model integrates many treatment modalities and theories into a single model (Boyer, 2010) and considers the impact of the whole ecosystem of a child-the biological, economic and psychological factors-observing how the interactions between the clients and their family and/or the cultural social system affect the development and pathological behaviours of the clients. O'Connor (2000) calls upon therapists to develop cultural competency, so that they will be sensitive to cultural variation in play practices and will develop culturally related awareness, skill and knowledge of their clients.…”

“…O'Connor (2000) calls upon therapists to develop cultural competency, so that they will be sensitive to cultural variation in play practices and will develop culturally related awareness, skill and knowledge of their clients. Therapists must have knowledge about the historical, psychological, sociological and political background of their clients, so that the treatment approach is in harmony with the belief and values of their clients, their families and communities, without creating further distress to them (Boyer, 2010). To be effective, therapists must be aware that the definition of play continues to evolve relative to changing times and cultural changes.…”