Jennifer Lefebre – Play Therapy for Tweens and Teens: Strategies to Build Rapport, Invite Emotional Expression, and Navigate the Unique Challenges of this Developmental Stage

Outline

ADVANCING ADOLESCENT TREATMENT WITH PLAY THERAPY

Why Play Therapy? What is It, and How is It Different with Teens and Tweens?

• Evidence supporting the benefits of play and creativity with this population
• Therapeutic powers of play
  • Neurobiology of play & impact on trauma and attachment
• Avoid pitfalls when working with teens and tweens
  • The frustration factor ~ use of cognitive skills and language
  • Understand the difference between resistance, opposition and shut-down
  • Play-based assessments and icebreakers to increase engagement
• Limitations & potential risks

From Client-Centered to CBT, a Myriad of Play Therapy Approaches as Applied to Adolescents

• Developmental Play Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy
• Adlerian Play Therapy
• Client-centered Play Therapy​
• Theraplay®
• Play therapy with families and groups

ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT ~ TASKS, THEORIES & CHALLENGES

Physical, Cognitive, Moral, and Psychosocial Development Changes and Milestones of Tweens and Teens

• Autonomy from parents & family
• Relationships, friendships & intimacy
• Identity development
• Moral reasoning & physical and intellectual growth

Influences of Culture, Heredity, Environment and Social Setting on Adolescents

• Social media, television and movies, music, electronics…oh my!
• This is the world we live in…how it effects treatment and growth

Striking a Balance

• Structure & freedom and independence & connection
• Verbal intellect & playfulness and creativity
• Strategies to teach caregivers how to play with their adolescents, and how to make these experiences part of their daily routines

PROVEN PLAY THERAPY TECHNIQUES

Enjoy the Silence ~ How to Use Silence to Increase Engagement and Therapeutic Rapport

• Try not to laugh
• Hide & seek & peek-a-boo
• What might this be? What can this do??

Walk this Way ~ Embodied Play Therapy and Movement Techniques to Increase Emotional and Behavioral Regulation

• The floor is lava…The floor is quick sand
• Mirror, mirror
• Trauma-informed yoga

What’s on Your Play List? ~ How to Use Music to Facilitate Therapeutic Discussion

• Trashballs
• Catch the beat
• What are you listening to?

Enter Sandman ~ The Use of Sandtrays to Facilitate Verbal and Nonverbal Expressions of Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviors

• Safe Place
• Futurerama
• Half & half

How to Use Drawing, Paint, Clay, Masks, and More!