Module Details

Module Code: PSYC9022
Title: Family Contexts in PlayTherapy
Long Title: Family Contexts in PlayTherapy
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2021/22 ( September 2021 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 3110 - Psychology
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: This module examines the key concepts of family functioning and family dynamics to explore the role the family and wider community plays in the lives of children in today's diverse society. This module also provides the students with the opportunity to self-reflect on personal values and their own family system through an experiential workshop facilitated by a family therapist.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Exhibit a cogent and critical awareness of the ethical issues and legal considerations involved in diversity of 21st Century families involved in play therapy interventions.
LO2 Critically examine the theory and key concepts underpinning cultural contexts and 'Brofenbrenner's Bioecological model of Human Development'.
LO3 Review literature and research on the concept of the family, issues that impact family functioning & family dynamics and its affect on child development and psychopathology.
LO4 Examine key concepts and issues relevant in infant mental health and the role of inter-generational transmission in attachment and trauma.
LO5 Critique a range of parenting support initiatives and parenting programmes, and implement clear therapeutic supports for parents and schools in their play therapy practice.
LO6 Analyse and evaluate one's own family system using genograms, reflecting their own participation, self-learning and the implications for counter transference in their play therapy practice.
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
Ethical and Legal considerations
Awareness of ethical dilemmas and the law in relation to consent/access to notes and feedback regarding guardian rights, birth families, foster families, step families etc. versus the child's rights. Legal implications of separation, divorce, foster and adoption. Awareness of Children and Relationships Act 2015; Child care Act 1991 and amendments; care orders; Children First documents. Awareness of blended families, LGBT families, lone parent families. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team and liaising with multidisciplinary professionals.
Brofenbrenner's Model and Cultural Diversity
Microsystem, ecosystem, macro-system, chronosystem and 'Elders Life Course Theory'. Role of extended family including grandparents, siblings, school and other professionals. Transmission of beliefs and values within families and culture. Siblings and peers relationships, adolescence, social relations, identity formation and consolidation of the self.
Family Dynamics and Family Functioning
A conceptual overview of the family unit, diversity issues and meaning of family in the 21st century. Role of early years in parenting children in groups. Family life cycle and the shaping of family unit by pregnancy and first child. Infant mental health and the infant mental health model. Family dynamics and family functioning - both healthy and unhealthy - issues such as in addiction, mental health, roles family members play and scapegoating of children of adult problems. Role of secrets in the family and the unspoken such as miscarriages, affairs, etc. Experiences such as bereavement, loss, poverty, unemployment, separation and divorce, family illness and disabilities (cancer and terminal cancer, MS) on both family functioning dynamics and children's emotional development. Concept of Mahler's 'Individuation' and separation. Impact of Infant stage (infant mental health), middle childhood and adolescence (need to separate out from family) on the family life cycle.
Family Genogram Workshops facilitated by a Family Therapist
Critical reflection on own family functioning, beliefs and values and the implications of this on the development of self. Practice and counter transference issues.
Parenting Initiatives and Programmes.
Health Service Executive, Tusla, Meitheal parenting support model, evidence-based parenting programmes, Parenting First programmes, Filial Play Therapy, Theraplay, Circle of security. Mindfulness for parenting, mindfulness for children and as a family.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 50
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Evaluative review of literature in family dynamics/family functioning that is relevant to the theory and practice of play therapy interventions, linking it's relevance to the initial assessment meetings; review meetings with carers and parents; parenting strategies; and recommendations for parents and schools.
Assessment Type Reflective Journal % of Total Mark 50
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 2,3,4,6
Assessment Description
Reflective assignment using the literature to support your learning; demonstrate how you used both the workshop and literature to develop new learning; make a personal and professional plan for future practice as a play therapist i.e. reflecting and exploring the role of family in the therapist's own life, and linking it to possible counter transference issues for the play therapist in practice.
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 Experiential workshop on Genograms included in this module as well as lectures supporting the theory Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Self directed learning 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
  • Mc Goldrick, M, Nydia, G Preto, Garter, B. (2015), The Expanding Family Life Cycle, Individual, Family and Social Perspectives, Pearson, USA, [ISBN: 9780205968060].
  • Phyllis B. Booth, Ann Jernberg. (2009), Theraplay - Helping Parents and Children Build Better Relationships Through Attachment Based Play, 3rd. Wiley & Sons, San Francisco, [ISBN: 978-047028166].
  • Louise F. Guerney and Virginia M. Ryan. (2013), Group Filial Therapy: The Complete Guide to Teaching Parents to Play Therapeutically With Their Children, Jessica Kingsley Pub, UK, [ISBN: 10: 1843109115].
  • Dottie-Higgins Klein. (2013), Mindfulness-Based Play-Family Therapy: Theory and Practice, 1st Edition. WWW.Norton &Company, New York., [ISBN: 978-039370863].
  • Rosen, Karen. (2016), Social and Emotional Development -Attachment Relationships and the Emerging Self, Palgrave Macmillan, NY, [ISBN: 9780230303461].
  • Zeanah, C. (2009), Handbook of Infant Mental Health, 4th. Guildford Press, NY, [ISBN: 978-1-4625-37].
  • Humphreys, T. (1994), The Family - Love it and Leave it, Carraig Print, Cork Ireland, [ISBN: 189820702].
  • Bradshaw, Tony. (2005), Healing the Shame that Binds You, revised edition. Health Communications INC, Florida, [ISBN: 9780757303234].
  • McGoldrick, Monica. (2011), The Genogram Journey - Connecting with your Family, WWW.Norton & Company.
  • Sharry, J. (2014), Parenting When Separated - Helping your Children Cope and Thrive, Veritas, Dublin, [ISBN: 9781847305732].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Charles E. Schaefer. (1994), Family Play Therapy (Child Therapy Series), Jason Aronson, USA, [ISBN: 10: 1568211503].
  • Gerhardt, Sue. (2010), The Selfish Society -How we all forgot to love one another and made money instead, Simon and Schuster, uk, [ISBN: 9781847396761].
  • Moe, Jerry. (2007), Understanding Addictions and Recovery through a Child's Eyes- Hope, Help and Healing for Families, Health Communications INC, Forida.
  • Hunphreys, T. (2010), Relationships, Relationships, relationships-The heart of a mature society, Carraig print, Cork Ireland, [ISBN: 9781855942165].
  • Archer, C, Drury, C, Hills, J eds. (2015), Healing the Hidden Hurts- Transforming Attachment and Trauma Theory into Effective Practice with Families, Children and Adults, Jesscia Kingsley Pub, London.
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Fraiberg, S. (1995), Ghosts in the Nursery, A Psychoanalytic Approach to problems of Impaired Infant Mother Relationship, Journal of American Academy of Child Psychology, 14(3), p.387.
  • Lieberman, Alicia, Padron, E, VanHorn, P. (2005), Angels in the nursery. The Intergenerational Transmission of Benevolent Parental Influences, Infant Mental Health Journal, 26(6), p.504.
  • Keith, DV & Whitaker, CA. (2007), Play Therapy: A Paradigm for work with Families,, Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 7, p.243.
  • Ryan, V. (2007), Filial Therapy; Helping children and new carers to form secure attachment relationships, British Journal of Social Work, 37, p.643.
  • Heard, D. (1982), Family System and the Attachment Dynamic, Journal of Family Therapy, 1(4), p.99.
  • Shah,Prachi, E; Fonagy, Peter; Strathearn, L. (2010), Is Attachment transmitted across the generations? The Plot Thickens, Clinical Child Psychology Psychiatry, 15(3), p.329.
  • Phinney, Jean.S. (1990), Ethnic Identity in Adolescents and Adults: Review of Research, Psychological Bulletin, 8(3), p.499.
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • Lowenstein, Liana; Hertlein, Katherine. (2012), Engaging Children in Family Sessions: Three Creative Interventions, Journal of Family Psychotherapy, Vol. 23 Issue 1, p.62-66..
  • Wei Ling Chin, Jaaniste, Susan, Trethewei. (2018), The role of resilience in the sibling experience of Paediatric Palliative Care; What is the Theory and Evidence?, Children, 5(7), p.97.
  • Myrow, David. (2006), Theraplay; An Introduction, British Journal of Play Therapy, 2, p.14.
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_HPLTH_9 Master of Arts in Play Therapy 3 Mandatory
CR_HPYTY_9 Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Play Therapy 3 Mandatory