Jill's Writing and Play Therapy Page

From now on all new content will be posted on my main blog, Jill's Writing and Play Therapy Page, and I will not be posting new content on this blog. I will leave the current content on this blog available as it is. Thanks for stopping by, please come check out Jill's Writing and Play Therapy Page for guest interviews, content about play therapy, and writing for children.

It's Finally Finished!

Sam Feels Better Now! An Interactive Story for Children is Finally Released! Click on the widget to in the right column of my blog (it has a picture of my book cover on it) and it will link you to several sites where you can view and purchase my blog. Or, you can click here to view it on Amazon. For more information about this book visit Jill's Writing and Play Therapy Page, my blog devoted to writing.

Sam Feels Better Now! To Be Released!

My book, Sam Feels Better Now! An Interactive Story for Children will be released in July 2008. It is illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier, and Published by Loving Healing Press. Therapists will find this a useful tool in therapy with children who are experiencing a crisis, traumatic, or grief situation. This is an interactive picture book for children, ages 4-10. Therapists may use it in office as a series of sessions, or suggest it for parents to use at home with their children to supplement therapy. It provides a step by step foundation for working with children using play, drawing, and other interactive components throughout the story. At the same time, it includes a therapist guide in the back, and resources for further reading. Visit my Writing Page to read more!

Reflections on a Support Group

One of the most difficult and rewarding things that I experienced as an intern was running a support group for children who have experienced domestic violence. I have had the opportunity now to look back and rethink how the group was structured, and to integrate principles of crisis intervention, play therapy, and group work into a format that I believe is ideal for using support groups with children as a crisis intervention. It is a structured approach, which is in contrast to a traditional child-centered play group. However I used child centered principles in communicating with children during group, such as tracking their behavior, reflecting feelings, setting limits, and providing encouragement. This way of communicating with children, I believe provides a safe, stable environment, and shows caring and empathy for each child.

View a Play Room

You may be wondering what a play therapy room looks like. Click on this link for the University of North Texas Center for Play Therapy and experience what a play therapy room can typically look like. Their website also is a good resource for parents who may have questions or concerns about play therapy. You may also view photos of a play room from Pam Dyson's website. There are links to her website and blog on the right hand side of this page.

Do you have questions about play therapy?

Do you have questions about play therapy? What is it? Who is it for? What does a play room look like? Maybe you have never heard of play therapy, or you want clarification about it. Please ask your questions in the comments section. I will answer them to the best of my knowledge, or point you to a resource. I will not answer questions about specific cases, or personal situations, or give counseling advice. I will answer questions about play therapy in general, so ask away!

What is Play Therapy?

 When adults go to see a counselor or therapist, they talk about their experiences using words. Children, however, sometimes have difficulties verbalizing their feelings and experiences due to their developmental stage.  Play therapy allows children to express their experiences using toys, drawings, stories, and other ways of playing in order to work through their problems and experiences in a more developmental appropriate manner. Often times children mirror what they see in life in their play. If you have children yourself, you may notice this, like when their dolls say and do things the child saw the parents doing, or the child reenacts an event that happened at school. Click on the title to this post and view a short video about play therapy, created by the people at the Association for Play Therapy.