Solution-Focused Play Therapy: The Magic of Strengths-Based Play

Presenter: 

Elizabeth Kjellstrand Hartwig, PhD, LMFT-S, LPC-S, RPT-S

Dates & Times:

May 15, 2022 - 9:00a - 12:00p

May 22, 2022 - 9:00a - 12:00p

Description:

Solution-focused play therapy (SFPT) is a strengths-based approach to play therapy that helps children work through challenges by building on internal assets and external resources. SFPT has been elucidated in a breadth of play therapy literature (Berg & Steiner, 2003; Hartwig, 2021; King, 2017; Nims, 2011; Taylor, 2019) with a medium positive effect size reported for treating child behavior problems (Hsu et al., 2021). In this workshop, the presenter will provide an overview of the history and key concepts of SFPT. We will discuss how to set small, measurable goals with child clients and their caregivers. We will also do an expressive art activity that can be used in goal setting. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and practice SFPT basic skills, techniques, and creative interventions. At the end of this workshop, the presenter will share some SFPT resources that can be beneficial tools in the playroom. This interactive workshop will explore ways of being with kids that are playful, systemic, and affirmative in both nondirective and directive ways.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define two key concepts of SFPT

2. Examine how development impacts directiveness when employing SFPT

3. Identify three basic skills of SFPT

4. Explore goal setting using an SFPT expressive intervention

5. Identify steps to assessing progress in play therapy using scaling

6. Evaluate two creative SFPT interventions

APT Contact Area:

Play Therapy Special Topics - 6 CEs