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Dramatic Play Therapy - A Childs Hidden Language
by Eleanor C. Irwin
In this video, a young child comes for his first diagnostic session-not in a playroom, but in a studio, with an unknown therapist AND two videographers trying to capture the nuances of his play. Said to be almost nonverbal, he is understandably anxious and inhibited, but he slowly, gradually, engages with the toys, and finds ways to express his troubling fantasies through his play.
The therapist narrates his play–both for herself and for him, hoping in this way to help him to gradually find coherence in his play. She “personifies” the play, speaking to the toys, as though to bring them to life. The child is thus encouraged to project life and meaning into the toy interview, hoping in this way to access the child’s hidden language of play. And while there are inevitable disruptions along the way, this inhibited, anxious child slowly, gradually, responds to the invitation to play, revealing his hidden world of worries.
The therapist narrates his play–both for herself and for him, hoping in this way to help him to gradually find coherence in his play. She “personifies” the play, speaking to the toys, as though to bring them to life. The child is thus encouraged to project life and meaning into the toy interview, hoping in this way to access the child’s hidden language of play. And while there are inevitable disruptions along the way, this inhibited, anxious child slowly, gradually, responds to the invitation to play, revealing his hidden world of worries.
Most children begin life playing-on their mother’s body,then with fingers and toes, and from there to the comfort of “blankeys” and teddy bears.And by the second year, with language and cognitive gains,the childenters the world of pretend,bending play and fantasy, attempting to understand the mysteries of the grownup world. Slowly,over time,most children begin to grasp the differences between the pretend world and the real world,between the often-chaotic innerworld of thoughts and feelings,and the outer world of“real”reality;with what can be shared and what must be hidden.Therapists have long tried to capitalize on the child’s natural playful capacities,seeing it as a substitute for the adult’s attempts to put feelings and thoughts into words. Play is to the child what words are to the adult–a form of communication,a way of accessing one’s innerlife, expressing the inchoate feelings that unknowingly govern one’s life.
Therapists have long tried to capitalize on the child’s natural playful capacities,seeing it as a substitute for the adult’s attempts to put feelings and thoughts into words. Play is to the child what words are to the adult–a form of communication,a way of accessing one’s innerlife, expressing the inchoate feelings that unknowingly govern one’s life.
In this video, a young, anxious child, said to be almost nonverbal, slowly and gradually, engages in play, and finds ways to express his troubling fantasies.
In this video, a young, anxious child, said to be almost nonverbal, slowly and gradually, engages in play, and finds ways to express his troubling fantasies.
Length of video: 01:01:34
English subtitles available
Group ISBN-10 #: 1-60124-763-X
Group ISBN-13 #: 978-1-60124-763-6
Eleanor C. Irwin was compensated for his/her/their contribution. None of his/her/their books or additional offerings are required for any of the Psychotherapy.net content. Should such materials be references, it is as an additional resource.
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