Introduction to Theraplay

This course will introduce students to Theraplay, a short-term, therapist-guided dyadic psychotherapy that focuses on improving the child’s behavioral and emotional challenges through the parent-child relationship. Students will be introduced to session videos that show how the therapist guides the parent and child though playful games, challenging activities and nurturing interactions. While other therapies may work primarily with the child alone or work with parents on managing the child’s behaviors, Theraplay is based upon the premise that the parent-child relationship is the most powerful and influential element for change. Students will practice activities from each of the four dimensions of Theraplay: Structure, Engagement, Nurture and Challenge. They will learn how Theraplay can be used to treat trauma, adoption and attachment issues, withdrawn or overly aggressive behavior, in different settings. This course assumes a basic knowledge of childhood development.