What’s the Role of Parents in Play Therapy with Anxious Children?

In this blog post, we'll dive into the critical role of parents in play therapy, particularly when working with children experiencing anxiety. This discussion is grounded in current research and practical application, aimed at helping play therapists effectively incorporate parents into the therapeutic process.

The Importance of Parental Involvement

One of the key elements in effective play therapy is recognizing that children exist within the context of their family systems. Parents are not just peripheral figures; they are central to the therapeutic process. As therapeutic agents of change, parents can support their children in applying new skills across various areas of their lives, not just within the playroom.

Research Insights on Parental Factors and Anxiety

A recent literature review examined the impact of parental factors on the development of anxiety in children and the effectiveness of incorporating parents into treatment approaches. The study focused on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) models and identified several key parental factors:

Parenting Styles: The global set of attitudes and general patterns of behavior that create an emotional climate for parent-child relationships. These include permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative styles.
Parenting Behaviors: Specific interactions in particular situations, such as acceptance/rejection, psychological control/autonomy, and behavioral control. Warmth, support, and clear boundaries were linked to well-adjusted children.
Parental Modeling of Anxiety: Parents who exhibit anxious behaviors can inadvertently model and reinforce anxiety in their children.
Parental Control: Overcontrol, overinvolvement, and intrusiveness can restrict a child's autonomy, contributing to anxiety.
Parent-Child Relationship: Dysfunctional patterns such as problematic communication, conflict, enmeshment, and aggression were found to be significant.
Parent's History of Anxiety: Children with anxious parents are more likely to develop anxiety themselves.

Effective Treatment Approaches

The study reviewed various CBT treatment models that included parental involvement and found mixed results based on how parents were integrated. Key components often included:

Psychoeducation
Parent training
Parent modeling of coping skills
Contingency management
Cognitive restructuring
Parent anxiety management
Collaborative problem-solving
Communication skills training
Relapse prevention

Practical Recommendations for Play Therapists

1. Thorough Assessment: Begin with a comprehensive psychosocial assessment to gather detailed information about the child's background and the family's dynamics. This helps in accurate case conceptualization.

2. Goal Identification: Clearly define the role of parents in the therapeutic process. What are the specific goals for their involvement?

3. Integration Strategies: Depending on your theoretical model, decide how parents will be involved. For example, in attachment-focused family play therapy, parents might be directly involved in sessions to repair relationships and build secure attachments.

4. Skills Coaching: Use parents as skills coaches. Teach both the child and the parents coping strategies and how to apply them in real-life situations.

5. Relapse Prevention: Equip parents with strategies to handle potential relapses, ensuring long-term success in managing anxiety.

Conclusion

Effective play therapy involves understanding the family system and integrating parents into the therapeutic process. By doing so, play therapists can create a more holistic and supportive environment for the child, leading to better outcomes.

For those interested in further developing their skills, consider exploring courses and consultation programs that focus on integrating parents into play therapy. Programs like the Play Therapy Academy offer valuable resources and support for enhancing your practice.

Citation

Wei, C., and Kendall, P. C. (2014). Parental involvement: Contribution to childhood anxiety and its treatment. Clinical Child and Family Psychological Review, 17, 319-339. doi.10.1007/s10567-014-0170-6

Categories: : Case Conceptualization, Play Therapy, Play Therapy Model, Podcast, treatmet plan