Gestalt Play Therapy – the Oaklander Approach

Objectives:

At the end of the workshop, participants are expected to achieve the following objectives:

• Overview of the therapeutic process developed by Violet Oaklander.
• Understand Gestalt relational perspective on child development and the nature of the self
• Learn Gestalt play therapy process of working with projections through creative arts
• Learn how to build therapeutic relationship with children and adolescents and facilitate emotional expression and deeper self awareness.

Application:

At the end of the workshop, participants are expected to be able to do the following:

• Apply Oaklander's process for assessment and intervention with clients
• Developing intervention programs wth different creative arts modalities such as art, clay, puppets
• Use the Gestalt play therapy approach to help clients develop deeper self awareness.

What You'll Learn

This workshop (basic, part 2) continues to build on theoretical understanding and clinical skills of Gestalt Play Therapy with special focus on the Oaklander Approach. The Approach is represented in the works of Violet Oaklander, Ph.D., author of Windows to Our Children: A Gestalt Approach to Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (1989) and Hidden Treasure: A Map to the Child's Inner Self (2007). The workshop will examine closely factors that bring about change and growth for a child or adolescent through the therapeutic process of Gestalt Therapy.

Participants will learn a range of play modalities and media such as puppets, art and sand to provide them with a wide repertoire to meet the wide and complex needs of children and adolescents. Working in pairs or small groups, participants will have opportunities for group consultation and practice.

Minimum Entry Requirement

At least a Degree in any discipline