The developmental journey of child-centered play therapists: A phenomenological study.

Abstract

Using a two-part phenomenological study, the authors sought to have child-centered play therapists describe their developmental journey. In particular, this study explored how counselors both as student participants and early career participants develop within childcentered play therapy (CCPT), with special attention to the development of deep empathy and unconditional positive regard (UPR). Participants described important personal and professional changes through their work in CCPT in the form of journals, a focus group, and semi-structured interviews. Throughout the study, participants identified themes of growing in confidence in CCPT and confidence in self as an agent of change in therapeutic relationship.

Predictors of play therapists’ attitudes toward parent engagement.

“…Using a validated instrument, Dynes et al (2018) measured play therapists’ self-efficacy and found that years of practice and counselors’ age were statistically significantly correlated with beliefs and judgments about their own abilities. Beyond the two studies mentioned (Dynes et al, 2018; Seymour, 2001), play therapists’ internal self-concept is not a factor that is often considered in research, though it is a large consideration for conceptual pieces (Brooks et al, 2022; Cuschieri, 2016). Research on the connection between self-efficacy and parent engagement could provide a more holistic understanding of play therapists’ needs.…”