Virtual Family Play Therapy: A Clinician’s Guide to using Directed Family Play Therapy in Telemental Health

Abstract

The field of marriage and family therapy was founded by innovators and pioneers, taking the practice of individual psychotherapy and making it systemic. Due to the impact of COVID-19, we now need further advancement by systemic therapists for telemental health services. The purpose of this paper is to propose recommendations and guidelines for adapting directed family play therapy from the same physical location services to telemental health. The article discusses recommendations for assessment, therapy structure, therapist roles, session preparation, and how to use virtual tools to enhance treatment. Systemic play therapy in a virtual format can work well if therapists make appropriate adjustments and rely on their creativity, high regard for ethics, and innovation. KeywordsDirected family play therapy • Telemental health • Virtual family play therapy • Telemental health training * Tiffany Smith

Wie das Oaklander-Modell in einer Pandemie eine globale Gemeinschaft von Therapeut*innen ins Leben rief und die Ausbildung und Behandlung bereicherte

“…In der Pandemie wurde der Nutzen des Oaklander-Modells in einem völlig neuen Format getestet. Telesitzungen mit Erwachsenen hatten bereits Fuss gefasst (Smith et al, 2021) und die Teletherapie für ausgegrenzte Bevölkerungsgruppen hatte Interesse geweckt (Beel, 2021). Aber die Pandemie erforderte die Umwandlung von Oaklanders taktiler, klient*innengeführter, interaktiver Spieltherapie in eine Struktur, die für Therapierende, die nicht an virtuelle Arbeit gewöhnt waren, benutzerfreundlich war, wie Sampaio et al (2021) schrieben.…”

“…Kurz gesagt, die Abstimmungen, die Website-Analysen und die Umfragen deuten darauf hin, dass die Instrumente des Oaklander-Telemodells, die Schulungen und die Zusammenarbeit sich im Bereich der Therapie von Kindern, Jugendlichen und Familien fest etabliert haben. (Smith et al, 2021).…”

Clinical Guidelines When Addressing Abuse over Telemental Health

“…Although Hertlein and colleagues ( 2021 ) stated that dealing with IPV over TMH may increase risk to the victim(s), it is important to consider that safe treatment procedures for violent couples already exist (Stith et al, 2011 ). It is also noteworthy that practicing skills at home might make it easier to repeat in the future than if the couple practiced in an artificial environment, such as an office (Smith et al, 2021 ). Although Smith and colleagues ( 2021 ) made this assertion in the context of family play therapy, the authors argue that it can apply to any experiential intervention, such as practicing new skills in-vivo.…”

“…It is also noteworthy that practicing skills at home might make it easier to repeat in the future than if the couple practiced in an artificial environment, such as an office (Smith et al, 2021 ). Although Smith and colleagues ( 2021 ) made this assertion in the context of family play therapy, the authors argue that it can apply to any experiential intervention, such as practicing new skills in-vivo. The following TMH adaptations for treatment with couples experiencing IPV are based on Stith and colleagues’ ( 2011 ) DVFCT program.…”

Terapia familiar virtual: adaptaciones, oportunidades y limitaciones. Intervención con familias colombianas en tiempo de confinamiento

“…Además, puede presentarse que, al momento de aplicar esta metodología de trabajo, familiares que cohabiten el hogar del consultante, escuchen a escondidas el diálogo con el terapeuta. Por lo tanto, dentro de las consideraciones para la atención virtual, los profesionales deben encontrar recursos que salvaguarden la privacidad y confidencialidad, de manera que no se trasgredan dentro del proceso, consideraciones de tipo ética o legal (Smith, Norton & Marroquin, 2021). El acompañamiento de manera virtual implicó procesos de adaptación para los terapeutas, entre ellos, estar en permanente actualización de nuevas tecnologías, aplicaciones, plataformas, herramientas, aprendizajes sobre prácticas seguras en la red, así como sortear las posibles dificultades por ruido, presencia de terceros, espacios compartidos, conexión a internet deficiente o intermitente, mayor posibilidad de distractores tanto para el consultante como para el terapeuta al estar en casa (Vera-García, Castro-Sacoto y Caicedo-Guale, 2019).…”