Terapia De Juego

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NON-DIRECTIVE
PLAY THERAPY
by
Jennifer L. Lesniak
A Research Paper
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the
Master of Science Degree
in
School Psychology

Approved: 2 Semester Credits
________________________________
Research Advisor

The Graduate School
University of Wisconsin-Stout
August, 2003

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The Graduate School
Universityof Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonie, WI 54751

ABSTRACT

(Writer)

Lesniak
(Last Name)

Jennifer
(First)

L.
(Initial)

The Effectiveness of Non-Directive Play Therapy
(Title)
School Psychology
(Graduate Major)

Barbara Flom

August, 2003

(Research Advisor)

(Month/Year)

36
(No. of Pages)

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Fifth Edition
Avariety of therapeutic interventions appear to be effective when used
with children who are struggling with issues such as abuse, neglect, divorce,
family violence, grief, and severe trauma. Due to the developmental differences
between children and adults, children need an alternative approach to
conventional talk therapy to meet their needs. Non-directive play therapy is a
unique therapeuticprocess that allows children to act out circumstances that are
scary, confusing, or bothersome to them (Woltmann, 1964). The play therapist
recognizes the child's wants, needs, and feelings, which are expressed through

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play. Each toy selected by the child is a representation of what he/she is trying to
communicate (Landreth, 2002).
Recent literature implies that the use ofnon-directive play therapy is a
beneficial therapeutic technique for children. This research paper reviews current
literature on play therapy, examines how effectiveness of play therapy is
measured, and examines specific studies on the effects of non-directive play
therapy. A critical analysis of the literature and recommendations for further
research are also included in this study.

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TABLE OFCONTENTS
Abstract ...................................................................................................................ii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………….1
Statement of the problem …………………………………………………………5
Purpose of the study ………………………………………………………………5
Definition of terms ………………………………………………………………..6
Limitations of the literature review……………………………………………….7
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
Non-directive play therapy ……………………………………………………….8
Measuring effectiveness of play therapy ………………………………………..12
General Findings ………………………………………………………………...14
Effect of Non-Directive Play Therapy (Specific Studies) ………………………17
CHAPTER THREE: SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION
Summary and discussion ………………………………………………………...26
Analysis of theliterature…….…………………………………………………...28
Implications for future research …………………………………………………31
Conclusions ……………………………………………………………………...31
REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………..33

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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Children in today’s society are dealing with many complex issues such as
poverty, gender issues, disease, and abuse. They are also faced with violence in
their schools, at home, or on television, which may teach them to express their
feelings in a violent way(Garbarino, 1995). Many are confronted with the
pressures of divorce, which according to Amato and Keith (1991) may be
associated with difficulty in school, behavior problems, negative self-concepts,
and problems with peers. These issues have an adverse effect on society’s
children, and with our fast paced mentality children may feel there are few
resources that will help them cope. Accordingto the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services (1999), one in five children has a diagnosable mental,
emotional, or behavioral disorder, and up to one in 10 may suffer from a serious
emotional disturbance. Seventy percent of these children, however, do not
receive mental health services.
Children need healthy ways to express...