Diagnosis, Assessment, & Treatment Planning in Play Therapy
A child’s play or pattern of behavior in the playroom can guide a play therapist towards a diagnosis and treatment plan that’s most appropriate for that child's needs. This workshop will delve into using play as an assessment tool to identify common themes that may signal mental and/or behavioral concerns in children, adolescents and teens. Time will be spent exploring common diagnosis in children including depressive disorders, trauma-stressor related disorders and more. From there, participants will gain a hands on experience in constructing effective treatment plans for a variety of DSM-5 diagnosis through the use of case studies. Attendees will also practice various play-based interventions to support the treatment plans to address issues such as impulsivity, conduct issues and more. Participants will:
- Develop ways to gain “buy in” from clients and caregivers regarding play therapy as an assessment and treatment modality.
- Identify the advantages of play-based assessments.
- Discuss the value of thorough assessments in the treatment of children and adolescents.
- Interpret play themes in common mental health disorders in children and adolescents.
- Utilize creative and effective play therapy techniques to address common DSM-5 diagnosis in children and adolescents.
- List the specific steps in play-based treatment planning for individual and family play therapy.
- Explore the different clinical assessments to use for common mental health disorders in children and adolescents.
- Construct measurable treatment goals and objectives through the use of play therapy case study examples.
- Explore ways games can be integrated into play therapy sessions to help guide diagnosis.
- Compare the differences between short term and long term treatment planning and how both can impact the play therapy process.
- List specific clinical assessments that can be used to support different diagnosis in children and adolescents.
- Evaluate specific books that the play therapist and parents can use to assist with specific diagnosis.