The techniques and methods are the tools in the tool-kit of a play therapist or a practitioner of therapeutic play. The more skills or tools a therapist has the better she/he can adapt to new situations, difficulties or problems and follow the lead given by children in the sessions.
These tools are also resources. However it is no use knowing the theory of a tool without the practical experience of using it, initially under safe conditions. This is why Play Therapy UK (PTUK) places great emphasis on practical and experiential play therapy training which normally takes two years to accomplish. The play therapy tool-kit is based upon a set of competencies described in the Professional Structure Model (PSM) developed by PTUK.
No medication is used in play therapy.
The main tools are:
- Creative Visualisation Also known as Guided Imagery
- Art - Drawing and Painting
- Therapeutic Storytelling
- Sandtray / Sand Worlds
- Music
- Dance and Movement
- Dramatherapy
- Puppets
- Masks
- Clay
