This workshop will present the rationale and application of play therapy with families. Family play therapy has the potential to be disarming and novel, and can decrease ambivalence to therapy, Using a combination of physical, dynamic, and expressive exercises to engage all family members, family play therapy can strengthen emotional connection, shift rigid perceptions, and utilize metaphor in order to identify and work through complex and difficult problems. Most families come to therapy with high expectations and rigid thinking and feeling patterns. Play therapy promotes laughter, joy, and possibilities.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify two reasons for integrating play therapy with families with young children.
2. List two expressive approaches in family play therapy.
3. Name two potential benefits of family play therapy.