An Existential Approach to Group Play Therapy with Physically Abused Children
by De Souza, Maria Betina, Psy.D., THE CHICAGO SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, 2011, 88 pages; 3463667

Abstract:

Group play therapy with an existential approach emphasizes an authentic relationship in which the client can grow to create meaning out of life experiences through play activities in a group setting. It is hypothesized that this type of therapy can help traumatized children build trusting relationships in which they can work through their trauma and find alternative ways of relating to others. The children can find a safe space to work through the irritability, anger, and sadness that they may experience by understanding the meaning behind those emotions. A program for a group of children between the ages of four and six who have been physically abused will be proposed with the goal of making their lived experience better by working through traumatic experiences through play activities with peers. The children will have the opportunity to have different relational experiences, experience a sense of belonging, understanding, and safety within the group, and have the space to work on different ways of being in the world. The Trauma symptoms checklist for Children and the Child Behavior checklist will be filled out by their primary caregivers and used to measure the children's level of anger, sadness, acting out behaviors, irritability, etc. In addition, semistructured interviews will be conducted with the children and their primary caregivers to understand the children's life stories and the meaning behind their comportment.

 
Advisor
SchoolTHE CHICAGO SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
SourceDAI/B 72-10, p. , Aug 2011
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsEarly childhood education; Clinical psychology
Publication Number3463667
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