The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in sudden and significant changes to lifestyle and wellness for vast numbers of people throughout the world. There is heightened anxiety about personal health, the health of loved ones, the health of the greater community, and notable worries about financial impact. During this period of physical distancing and community shut-downs or lock-downs, therapists themselves are being affected as well. There is much talk about telehealth, shifting therapeutic sessions to online formats. The level of stress among therapists is palpable and understandable. Some thoughts from the disaster mental health perspective are shared here for consideration and possible help.

While client “resistance” is a topic discussed by therapists in “normal” times, it takes on special significance during times of great stress. This article discusses some of the key factors that can influence client hesitation to engage in therapy during pandemics and other disaster situations, as well as suggestions for therapists to consider resistance as a normal part of the change process. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused large and sudden changes for everyone, including therapists and their clients. This blog discusses how therapists might think about and approach their clients with patience and empathy, even if it means that continuing telehealth therapy is delayed for a while as clients get their feet on the ground.

When child and family professionals such as play therapists and family therapists are presented with new cases, there is much to be learned in a short time. Working together with the family, therapists typically review the family’s history and relationships along with the parents’ or family’s reasons for coming. Regardless of theoretical orientation, therapists work with the family to establish treatment goals and an overall plan for moving forward. This can be an overwhelming task for relatively new therapists, and even for experienced therapists when confronted with complex and/or multiple traumas, attachment disruptions, and a multitude of other situations. Where does one start to tease apart the situation to determine which goals represent a starting place? There are no easy answers.

1 1/2 cups water + 2 Tbs. water 1/2 cup salt 1 tsp. food coloring Mix the ingredients above and put in pan.  Heat until it boils.  Pour heated mixture over the following flour mixture: Flour...

What is Filial Therapy? Developed in the early 1960s by Dr. Louise Guerney and Dr. Bernard Guerney, Filial Therapy is a highly effective psychoeducational family intervention in which parents serve...

In Filial Therapy, parents eventually hold play sessions with their children on their own at home.  We recommend that they use a separate set of toys for these sessions to help communicate the...

People have engaged in storytelling for centuries, long before recorded history.  It's a way to pass along cultural and family practices and values and to create social bonds through a common...

School settings present many unique challenges to counselors using play counseling methods.   Space and time are often limited.  Counselors may work in several schools and therefore must carry their...

While there are many wonderful ideas described in the growing number of play therapy books, it can be both helpful and rewarding to develop your own creativity and spontaneity with play therapy...

Client resistance to therapy can pose serious challenges for the mental health professional.  One step, among many, that we can take involves examination of our own attitudes about resistance (for a...

When trying to help parents or other professionals understand play therapy, I've often guided them as they examined how their own culture or subculture has viewed play.  Although I'm sure some...

If you go to the Parents' Page of this website, you'll find a section on how parents and caregivers can help children through traumatic events.   I've also included there a list of signs to watch...

Filial Therapy was created in the early 1960s by Drs. Bernard and Louise Guerney, and extensively researched and developed by Dr. Louise Guerney and others for the past 40 years.  Filial Therapy is...

I have posted some information about credentials on the Parents section of this website. The information below is provided to help professionals determine how they can develop their knowledge and...

Throughout the U.S., school counselors, especially at the elementary and middle-school levels, are increasingly using play counseling to help students overcome obstacles to learning.  One of the...