Impact of therapist authentic expression on emotional tolerance in synergetic play therapy.

Abstract

To date, there is little research on therapist authentic expression with children. The closest explorations of this topic are studies conducted regarding therapist selfdisclosure (Capobianco & Farber, 2005; Ginsberg, 2011). No published research has directly addressed the impact of expressing present thoughts, feelings, and body sensations in response to the child client's stories and play. With new research on neurobiology, this article explores how therapist authentic expression in play therapy might be a helpful component in expanding the clients' emotional windows of tolerance. Literature on pertinent aspects of self-disclosure, authenticity, and windows of tolerance is reviewed. This article introduces a study exploring the impact of therapist authentic expression on expanding a child's emotional window of tolerance in Synergetic Play Therapy. Results indicated that there was a statistically significant increase in the percentage of emotionally tolerant behaviors in response to authentic therapist expressions from the first to third play therapy sessions. Also, the entire sample displayed full integration of emotions (100% emotionally tolerant behaviors) by their fifth session. Implications of these findings and for future research are outlined.

Horsing Around

“…Additionally, the research also found evidence that the heart’s electromagnetic field is capable of transmitting information between people, allowing people to synchronize heart rhythms from up to 5 feet apart. This further supports the importance of therapist authenticity and congruence and Dion and Gray’s (2014) assertion of the “coregulation of challenging internal states” (p. 56).…”

“…This allows for the client to relate to the therapist as an authentic presence and opens the door for them to take more responsibility and to choose the direction that they want to proceed with. This view is advocated by Synergetic Play Therapy, an approach which is informed by neuroscience research on nervous system regulation as well as having an existential, humanistic, and Gestalt philosophical base (Dion & Gray, 2014). This model asserts that the therapist’s authentic expression allows the child to explore and expand their emotional tolerance.…”

“…This model asserts that the therapist’s authentic expression allows the child to explore and expand their emotional tolerance. Furthermore, the “therapist’s ability to regulate and model regulation of his or her own nervous system and emotional states is the foundation for the clients to learn how to manage their own” (Dion & Gray, 2014, p. 59). This is supported by Cozolino (2006) who explains that emotional resonance has been found in neuroscientific research to be associated with the child’s ability to better regulate his or her own emotions and increase their capacity to discuss and describe their internal experiences to others.…”

Integrating interpersonal neurobiology with play therapy.

“…These ABC's are achieved through consistent patterns of communication, and are the goal for therapeutic relationships between child and therapist. Play therapists who convey authentic emotional responses in session can widen the window of tolerance for the difficult emotions of child clients (Dion & Gray, 2014). Strong and healthy relationships with others are a "source of strength for the child's developing mind" (Siegel & Hartzell, 2003, p. 103).…”

Neuroscience influences in International Journal of Play Therapy articles.

“…Neuroscience research has also been cited when considering characteristics of play therapists. Examples include Dion and Gray’s (2014) exploration of play therapists’ authenticity and attunement and Crenshaw and Hardy’s (2007) description of play therapists’ empathy.…”