Play Therapy - An information resource for play and creative arts therapies


	The Therapeutic Play Continuum
	Section Index Indications for Play Therapy The Play Continuum Deciding What To Do Assessing the Severity of a Problem About Play Therapy Axline Principles Play Therapy Toolkit Indications for Referral How Well Play Therapy Works Why Play Therapy Works About Filial Play As a Parent/Carer As a School As Another Organisation/Agency Importance of Certification by PTI References Definition of Play Definition of Play Work Definition of Therapeutic Play Work Definition of Therapeutic Play Definition of Play Therapy Definition of Child Psychotherapy and Clinical Psychology (CPCP)		The Therapeutic Play Continuum Play is now widely recognised as being beneficial in the emotional development of children. It has a therapeutic value. With the growth of play therapy, play work, filial play and the use of therapeutic play skills there is widespread confusion about the roles of each and the skills required to be a proficient practitioner. (see also Continuum Background) The Therapeutic Play Continuum was developed by Monika Jephcott and Jeff Thomas, whilst working for PTUK as a concept to explain the different applications of play in helping children with their problems. Definitions of each of the main terms are given and related graphically to each other in the Therapeutic Play Continuum diagram. The Applications of Play The main therapeutic applications of play are: Play Play Work Therapeutic Play Play Therapy Filial Play – sometimes called ‘Filial Play Therapy’ Child Psychotherapy and Clinical Psychology (CPCP) Therapeutic Play Continuum Since there are overlaps between each application they may best be considered on a therapeutic continuum to deal with differing levels of severity of emotional, behavioural and mental health problems in children.