Using play and humor to encourage child engagement with the feared stimulus is a core component of this intervention approach.
Introduction | Using Games | Unique Play with Feared Item | Using Toys
Introduction to Play and Humor
The therapy approach described here has some similarities to play therapy, including using toys as props to represent the child’s experiences, but takes a much more directive and targeted approach than is typical of play therapy, with very specific structure. While staying attuned to the child’s response and adjusting accordingly, adults guide the session rather than solely following the child’s lead. Each session is goal driven: The goal of each session is to incorporate increasing amounts of gradual exposure within a play-based interactive experience. The pacing of exposure is determined based on the child’s affective response.
Using Games
In this video, the use of games will be illustrated to demonstrate the flexible applications that may be used to best fit the child’s needs and abilities.
Unique Play with Feared Item
In this approach, “unique” play is used to provide alternative approaches and interactions with an object that was previously aversive to the child. Unique play is when a feared object is not being used or played with in its standard way, but rather in a new and different way. By providing unique ways of engaging with and responding to feared stimuli, the therapist is breaking the usual patterns of play, introducing novelty, and eliciting curiosity and engagement of the child.
Using Toys
In this video, you will see examples of how the therapist infuses exaggerated emotional responses to feared stimuli as a method of to engage the child, amuse them in the face of the feared object (eliciting a different emotional response than usual in the presence of the object) and thereby reduce anxiety when in the presence of the feared stimuli.