Module Details

Module Code: PSYC9009
Title: Play Therapy Theory
Long Title: Play Therapy Theory
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 3110 - Psychology
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: This module will focus on the theoretical concepts and contributions of Virginia Axline and Carl Rogers seminal works, along with other key authors in the client-centred approach and in non-directive play therapy. Students also examine its historical underpinnings from the work of Anna Freud and Melanie Klein.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Analyse the history and development of play therapy, and key psycho-dynamic concepts relevant to client-centred therapy as an effective non-verbal intervention for children and young people today.
LO2 Critically engage with the theoretical concepts and theory underpinning play therapy through the seminal works of Carl Rogers and Virginia Axline and later through Gary Landreth and Virginia Ryan.
LO3 Examine the therapeutic relationship and consider the effectiveness of Axline's 8 principles in the therapeutic relationship in play therapy interventions.
LO4 Analyse themes in play therapy and evaluate the effects of difficult life experiences on the children's emotional development.
LO5 Evaluate the effectiveness of play therapy in practice by analysing the stages and process involved in play therapy interventions.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
History and Development of Play Therapy
Psychoanalytic play therapy (Anna Freud, Melanie Klein); Non-directive, child-centred play therapy (Carl Rogers; Virginia Axline; Gary Landreth; Virginia Ryan).
Play Therapy Theory
In-depth examination of Rogers' three core conditions of: 1. Accurate Empathy; 2. Unconditional Positive Regard; 3. Congruence; and their application in play therapy practice. Centrality of the therapeutic relationship in play therapy. Application of Axline's 8 principles to different cultures. Rogers' concepts of self-organisation and self-actualising tendency and conditions of worth. Symbolic development and mental schemes and internal re-organisation in play therapy by Virginia Ryan. Landreth's work on the philosophy and values underpinning a non-directive approach.
Thematic Analyses
Using Erikson's 'Stages of Emotional Development' to analyse children conscious and unconscious communications and use this to help them reflect and develop accurate empathy in sessions. Virginia Ryan's work on themes. Ryan, O'Sullivan and Landreth's work on limit-setting and its importance in creating safety and security and developing responsibility and consequences- making links to parenting practices and the attachment needs of the child.
Attachment styles and life experiences on emotional development
Theoretically evaluate the effects of childhood emotional and behavioural difficulties and loss on children. Mild attachment problems. Investigate how these difficulties may present in the playroom. Link between attachment, relational experiences and the development of the therapeutic relationship and stages in the process of the intervention.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 2,3,4
Assessment Description
Draft essay with peer review and feedback.
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 80
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Essay on the theoretical concepts and/or underpinnings relevant in play therapy today.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

This module has no Full Time workload.
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent study Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Landreth, G. (2002), The Art of the Relationship, 2nd. Brunner-Routledge Taylor and Francis Group, NY, [ISBN: 9781583913277].
  • Axline, V. (1969), Play Therapy, Ballantine Books, [ISBN: 9780443040610].
  • Giordano, M., Landreth, G., & Jones, L. (2005), A practical handbook for building the play therapy relationship, Jason Aronson, Lanham, [ISBN: 978-0-7657-0111-4].
  • Wilson, K, & Ryan, V. (2006), Play therapy: a non-directive approach for children and adolescents, 2nd. Elsevier Science, London, [ISBN: 9780702027710].
  • Erikson , E. (1994), Identity and the Lifecycle, Rev Ed. W.W.Norton and Company, NY, [ISBN: 9780393311327].
  • Carl Rogers. (1971), Client Centred Therapy, its current practice, implications and theory s, Constable, London.
  • Mearns, D and Thorne, B and John McLeod. (2013), Person-Centred Counselling in Action C, 4th ed. Sage Publishing, london, [ISBN: 9781446252536].
  • Cochran, Nancy H, Nordling, W, Cochran, JL. (2010), Child-centred Play Therapy. A practical Guide to developing Therapeutic Relationships with children, Wiley and Sons, New Jersey, [ISBN: 9780470442234].
  • Howe, D. (2011), Attachment across the Lifecourse -A brief introduction, Red Globe Press, London.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Schaefer, C. & Kaduson G.. (2007), Contemporary Play Therapy - Theory, Research & Practice, 1. Guilford Press, [ISBN: 9781593856335].
  • Van Fleet, R., Sywulak, A., Sniscak, C. & Guerney, L.. (2010), Child-Centered Play Therapy, 1. Guilford Press, [ISBN: 978-1-60623-902-5].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Bratton, S. & Dee, R.. (2000), What the research shows about Play Therapy, International Journal of Play Therapy, Vol 9.
  • Jaegar, J and Ryan , V. (2007), Evaluating clinical practice: using play-based techniques to elicit children's views, Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol.12, No.3, p.437, [ISSN: 13591045].
  • O'Sullivan, L and Ryan, V. (2009), Therapeutic limits from an attachment perspective, Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, vol.14 NO .(2), p.267, [ISSN: 13591045].
  • Ryan, V and Edge, A.. (2011), The role of play themes in non-directive play therapy, Clinical Child psychology and Psychiatry, Vol 17.No 3, p.354, [ISSN: 1359 1045].
  • Ryan, V. (1999), Developmental Delay, Symbolic Play and Non-Directive Play Therapy, Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol 1. No 3, p.385, [ISSN: 13591045].
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • Ryan, V and Courtney, A. (2009), Therapists' use of congruence on child-centred/non-directive play therapy and filial therapy, International Journal of Play Therapy, Vol 18, No. 2, p.114.
  • Hall, T., Kaduson, H. & Schaefer, C.. (2002), Fifteen effective play therapy techniques., Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Vol 33 (6).
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_HPLTH_9 Master of Arts in Play Therapy 2 Mandatory
CR_HPYTY_9 Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Play Therapy 2 Mandatory