What Are Barriers for Congruence in Play Therapy?
Cathi Spooner 
Today, let's talk more about congruence in play therapy sessions. In this post, I introduced the concept of congruence and discussed that it serves as a cornerstone in establishing trust and safety within the therapeutic space. Today, I want to dive into the various barriers that can hinder the development and maintenance of congruence with our clients.
1. Imposter Syndrome
One significant obstacle that many therapists face, especially those new to the field, is imposter syndrome. This insidious phenomenon can make us doubt our abilities and fear that we're not doing enough for our clients. It's crucial to recognize that imposter syndrome is a common experience and seek support from supervisors or peers to overcome it.
Feeling Burned Out and Overwhelmed: Prioritizing Self-Care As therapists, we often put our clients' needs before our own, leading to burnout and overwhelm. It's essential to prioritize self-care by taking breaks, engaging in hobbies, or seeking therapy ourselves. By addressing our own needs, we can ensure that we're in the best position to support our clients effectively.
2. Cultivating Self-Awareness
Another crucial factor in developing congruence is self-awareness. Being attuned to our own emotions and experiences allows us to recognize when we're in or out of alignment with our clients. Without this self-awareness, our decision-making in sessions may be compromised, impacting the therapeutic process.
3. Navigating Decision-Making
Poor decision-making can arise when we're not fully connected to ourselves or our theoretical models. It's essential to ground ourselves in our approach and seek support when facing uncertainty in sessions. By aligning our actions with our theoretical framework, we can ensure that our interventions are effective and congruent with our clients' needs.
4. The Challenge of Poor Decision-Making
The fourth barrier to congruence lies in poor decision-making, often stemming from a lack of self-awareness. When therapists are unsure of their internal experiences or how to respond to client cues, they may struggle to make effective decisions in sessions. Seeking support and fostering self-awareness are essential steps in overcoming this obstacle and maintaining congruence with clients.
Overcoming these barriers requires dedication to self-care, seeking support from supervisors or peers, and cultivating self-awareness. By addressing these obstacles, we can enhance our ability to maintain congruence and provide effective therapy for our clients.
Remember, congruence is not about perfection but about striving to align our internal experiences with our external expression in sessions. It's a journey, and we're all learning and growing along the way.
If you're interested in further support and guidance, consider joining Play Therapy Academy, where you'll have access to resources, training, and a supportive community to help you navigate the challenges of play therapy. Together, we can continue to learn and grow as therapists, empowering ourselves to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our clients.
Categories: : Case Conceptualization, Congruence, Play Therapy, Podcast, Progress Notes
