Matching Items (2)
Description
Literature surrounding counselor education supports a constructivist pedagogical perspective and experiential models of counselor training. The purpose of this study is to analyze the experiential component of a 15-week service-learning play therapy course, in which six Master of Counseling graduate students simultaneously learned the therapeutic process of play therapy and practiced directive and non-directive skills with children at a local elementary school. At the end of the course, each student submitted a critical incident report describing one experience that occurred during the course that significantly impacted their skill development and mastery. A thematic analysis was conducted using these critical incident reports to assess the impact of the course on the counselors-in-training learning process and outcomes. Five themes were identified in this thematic analysis: use of therapeutic orientations, children's navigation of the counseling process, challenges of navigating new counseling experiences, acknowledgement of children's knowledge/ability to solve their own problems, and unpredictability of sessions. The findings of this study highlight the value of a child-centered therapeutic approach and the need for experiential learning opportunities specifically related to counseling children. Lastly, limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
ContributorsArnold, Amanda Carol (Author) / Pereira, Jennifer (Thesis director) / Catena, Angela (Committee member) / College of Integrative Sciences and Arts (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
With an increasing number of mental illnesses appearing in young adults, psychologists must find new ways to address this crisis. Play therapy is a form of therapy that is typically used effectively on the adolescent population. Given its success with children, it is reasonable to consider play therapy for other age groups. Pieces of the Past is a game based on play therapy theory and designed with a young adult audience in mind. This game was created in hopes of becoming a tool for play therapists to use on young adult populations.
ContributorsPonton, Regan (Author) / Koop, Gregory (Thesis director) / Clemons, Laura (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Contributor)
Created2023-12