The impact of child-centered play therapy training on attitude, knowledge, and skills.

Abstract

Using a mixed methodological approach, we examined the impact of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) training on graduate counseling students' play therapy attitudes, knowledge, and skills. Thirteen students voluntarily participated in the study. We conducted paired-sample t tests to evaluate the impact of an introductory play therapy course on students' scores on the revised Play Therapy Attitude-Knowledge-Skills Survey. From pretest to posttest, there were statistically significant improvements and a large effect size on students' scores in all three subscales: attitude, knowledge, and skills. Through individual interviews, we also explored students' perceptions of the content and structure of the introductory play therapy course. Emerging themes revealed that the students perceived the course to be acceptable (i.e., useful, informative, well organized) and effective (i.e., facilitated insight/awareness, self-growth, knowledge and skill acquisition). Limitations of the study and implications for future research are discussed.

Critical incidents in learning child-centered play therapy: Implications for teaching and supervision.

“…Over time, application of the basic skills led to stronger beliefs that the approach was bringing about changes in themselves and the children. This finding is also consistent with similar studies (Lindo et al, 2012;SmithAdcock et al, 2012) suggesting that student counselors developed a deeper understanding of the CCPT tenets through field experiences with an actual child.…”

The Effectiveness of Child-Centered Play Therapy Training in Malaysia

“…These activities appear to have been effective learning experiences, enhancing participants' positive attitude toward children and play therapy even beyond their initial interest in the process. This shows the importance of offering appropriate, practical, and experiential learning activities in the training (Lindo et al, 2012).…”

“…Hence, more play therapists are needed to meet the needs of child clients (Porter, Hernandez-Reif, & Jessee, 2009). Moreover, many researchers have addressed the effectiveness of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) training in helping play therapists improve their attitude, knowledge, and skills (Homeyer & Rae, 1999;Hunt, 2006;Kagan & Landreth, 2009;Kao & Chang, 2007;Kao & Landreth, 1997;Lindo et al, 2012;Shen, 2002;Shen & Herr, 2003). Their findings have shown positive impacts on the counseling profession and children with difficulties.…”

“…A study of long term play therapy training (Lindo et al, 2012) on attitude, knowledge and skills for graduate students, show that the long term training has a greater impact on the participants. The training should include varieties of learning processes and more opportunities to develop participants' capability.…”

“…Regardless of the training format whether short or long term, their experiences as trainees in play therapy significantly affected them in a positive manner. Recently, Lindo et al, (2012), investigated the impact of training on attitude, knowledge, and skills for graduate counseling students throughout a 15-week semester play therapy course. The findings indicated this course positively impacted the counseling graduate students' attitudes toward themselves, toward children, and towards play therapy, while advancing their knowledge and skills in play therapy.…”