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Cultural Implications Of Theraplay

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Abstract This essay discusses Theraplay as an effective, short term treatment for children and families. The theoretical underpinnings of Theraplay are attachment and its connection to neuroscience. Theraplay repairs insecure attachments by using the following: structure, engagement, nurture and challenge in playful activities to strengthen familial bonds. My clinical use of Theraplay is presented in order to illustrate its efficacy. Ryan, a 1 ½ year old, suffering from trauma is a prime candidate in repairing the bond between mother and child. The next section concludes the essay with a discussion of the cultural implications of Theraplay. Over 36 countries use Theraplay, and I have made minor adjustments for its use in Pakistan. Techniques …show more content…

It is based on the natural patterns of playful, healthy interaction between parent and child and is personal, physical, and fun.” There are two main theoretical underpinnings of Theraplay as a therapeutic approach, attachment theory and neuroscience. Understanding this has allowed me to use Theraplay in my work with young children and their families. The expansive theoretical base of Theraplay reflects its ability to be used with families that face a variety of mental health problems. According to Booth & Jernberg (2010), Theraplay itself is based upon occurrence of the healthy, attuned interactions witnessed between parents and their young, which enhances secure attachment and stability in mental …show more content…

This required “an emotionally sensitive, positive, and responsive nurturing relationship with their caregivers”. In turn, when the mother was physically absent, the child can rely on the positive thoughts and memories of his mother to reassure himself. This was referred to as the internal working model, the child’s internal representation of himself with relation to this mother. Bowlby’s research (1988) was profound in that it demonstrates the practicality of Theraplay beautifully. Bowlby discusses how children learn the skills of relating to others by modeling those of their parents. If these relationships are positive and consistent, children are able to demonstrate control over their situations. If the caregiver is reliable and responsive to the needs of the child early on in life, then the child will be able to model this in their own life. Simply speaking, most children that come to the Play Room do not have secure attachments. I will discuss later in this essay, how Theraplay achieves

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