Introduction to Play Therapy on campus

November 19th course: delivered online via Zoom and on campus. Please select the relevant course when regsitering.

Please click here for the Terms & Conditions

Please read the Short Courses Contract before signing up.

Play Therapy is an effective psychological treatment for a wide range of child mental health difficulties and stressful life experiences. It has existed as a distinct discipline since the 1940’s, emerging from child psychotherapeutic practice and the humanistic psychology tradition. In this introduction you will experience key aspects of play therapy practice.

Course Description

Play Therapy is an effective psychological treatment for a wide range of child mental health difficulties and stressful life experiences. It has existed as a distinct discipline since the 1940’s, emerging from child psychotherapeutic practice and the humanistic psychology tradition. In this introduction you will experience key aspects of play therapy practice.

Intended Audience

Suitable for individuals considering taking up professional training in Play Therapy as well as professionals who are already working with children e.g. social workers, occupational/speech therapists, mental health professionals, residential workers etc. No previous experience of Play Therapy is necessary but a willingness and enthusiasm for play is very much welcomed.

Outcomes

Participants will gain an understanding of: the therapeutic relationship; how children communicate through the use of symbolic play and how to facilitate this; how change is promoted through attention to the child’s communication.

On Campus Course presented by 

Lisa Gordon Clark

Lisa Gordon Clark, BSc (Hons) Psychology, Dip. Play Therapy, BAP-reg Play Therapist, Fellow HEA, was until recently a Senior Lecturer on the Play Therapy MA at the University of Roehampton and was the Programme Convener for a decade. For the past 9 years she has also led the annual 20-week Play Therapy Foundation Course and she also co-delivers BAPT-approved trainings in Child Parent Relationship Therapy, a post-qualifying Short Course offered by the Psychology Department. Lisa has her own private Play Therapy practice, PlayFully, based in Wiltshire.

 

Online course presented by Sonia Murray
Behaviour Support Consultant/Play Therapist (NNEB, DipSW, BAPT-RPT) 

Sonia Murray holds a Diploma in Social Work (Social Work England registered), is a registered Play Therapist (BAPT) and is a Strategic Attachment Lead for Schools.  She has 30 years of experience as a practitioner in the fields of attachment, child abuse, social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, children’s mental health, childhood trauma, parenting programmes and Play Therapy.  Sonia trains nationally and internationally on topics related to Attachment, Trauma, Play Therapy, understanding behaviour, play, communicating with children, behaviour management, positive parenting.  Her work history includes employment as a childcare Social Worker, parent worker, Play Therapist in Education and Social Care and Health settings. She has worked for 23 years in a specialist school for children with complex social, emotional, mental health and behavioural difficulties.  Sonia provides consultation, supervision and training in both statutory and voluntary fields of children and Young people’s services.   

Sonia is also a visiting Lecturer at University of Roehampton and University of Northampton. 

Suggested Reading

- Axline, V. (1979) Play Therapy. USA: Ballantine Books.
- Cattanach, A. (1992) Play Therapy with Abused Children. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
- Daniel, D & Jenkins, P. (2000) Therapy with Children: Children’s rights, confidentiality and the law.      London: Sage Publications.
- Landreth, G. (2002) Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship. London: Brunner-Routledge.
- Rogers, C. (1986) Client Centred Therapy. San Fransisco: Jossey-Bass.
- McMahon, L. (1992) The Handbook of Play Therapy. London: Routledge
- West, J. (1996) Child-Centred Play Therapy. London: Arnold Press.