How Parents And Caregivers Are Involved In The Play Therapy Process

Before a child starts their play therapy journey, it is common for parents or caregivers to ask what their role is while their child engages in play therapy, as well as ask how they can support their child outside of their play therapy sessions.

During the initial parent intake session, which involves just the parents or caregivers attending this appointment, the play therapist and the parents/caregivers have a detailed discussion so that the play therapist can understand the concerns of the parents/caregivers for their child. The parents/caregivers and the play therapist also discuss the child’s developmental history, how the child is currently coping at home, school or day care, the child’s interests and strengths, as well as discussing goals and changes that the parents/caregivers would like to see in their child. This helps the play therapist to get a clear understanding of the child’s current challenges and skills, and also enables the play therapist and the parents/caregivers to identify specific goals for their child and changes that they would like to see in their child as they engage in the play therapy process.  

In addition to this, the initial parent/caregiver intake sessions are also an opportunity for parents/caregivers to ask any questions that they have, such as questions about what is involved in play therapy and how they can prepare their child for play therapy before they attend their first play therapy session. The play therapist will also explain to the parents/caregivers that the play therapy sessions are just for the child to attend, however the play therapist and parents/caregivers will also meet for review meetings every 4-6 play therapy sessions that the child attends. After a child attends each play therapy session, the play therapist won’t provide specific feedback to the parents/caregivers directly in front of their child, as this helps to respect confidentiality for the child, as well as helps to support a child’s self-esteem and can help the child to feel comfortable after each play therapy session. If parents or caregivers want to discuss anything with the play therapist in between the parent/caregiver review meetings, the play therapist will also be happy and available to discuss any questions or concerns that the parents/caregivers may have by phone or by email in between the parent review meetings which enables the play therapist and the parents/caregivers to continue to have regular and ongoing communication in between the parent/caregiver review meetings while their child continues to attend their play therapy sessions.  

The regular parent/caregiver review meetings allow the play therapist to provide feedback to the parents/caregivers, such as feedback about the child’s strengths that they demonstrate while they play in their play therapy sessions, as well as feedback about the themes of play and the stage the child appears to be at in the play therapy process. These regular meetings also enable the parents/caregivers to inform the play therapist about any recent changes that they have noticed in the child at home, school or day care, as well as ask the play therapist any questions that they may have. The parent/caregiver review sessions also enable the play therapist and the parents/caregivers to review a child’s progress with their goals that were set during the initial parent intake session, as well as modify the goals or identify additional goals for the child as they engage in play therapy. Each parent/caregiver review meeting also enables the play therapist and the parents/caregivers to identify a time for the next parent/caregiver review meeting, as well as discuss and confirm a plan moving forward for the child, to assist the child to continue to progress with their goals. The parent/caregiver review meetings are also an opportunity for the play therapist and the parents/caregivers to discuss specific strategies and resources that the parents/caregivers can use with their child outside of their play therapy sessions in environments such as home, to assist their child to continue to progress with improving their skills and progressing with their play therapy goals.  

A child’s parents/caregivers being involved throughout their whole play therapy journey is very valuable as it allows ongoing communication between the parents/caregivers and the play therapist, which allows the parents/caregivers and the play therapist to work together as a team to support the child throughout their play therapy journey. As each child grows, develops and progresses on their play therapy journey at their own pace, and in their own unique way, the  regular meetings between the parents/caregivers and the play therapist, as well as the regular communication between the play therapy sessions, allows the parents/caregivers and the play therapist to continue to collaborate to support the child as they attend their play therapy sessions, as well as continue to support the child outside their play therapy sessions, in environments such as at home, school or day care. This can also help to allow the child’s growth and progress that they make in their play therapy sessions to also happen outside of their play therapy sessions. For example, the play therapist may provide the parents/caregivers with specific resources or strategies that they can use with their child outside of their play therapy sessions, in environments such as at home, where they can help to support their child to further develop in skill areas such as emotional regulation skills, social skills, self-esteem, self-acceptance or confidence, which can also help to guide them to  improve their relationships with people in their lives such as their parents, siblings or friends at school, as well as support a child to improve their overall wellbeing and quality of life.