British Journal of PLAY THERAPY Volume 1 l Number 1 l May 2004 Published by the British Association of Play Therapists British Journal of Play Therapy An official publication of the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT) SUBSCRIPTIONS SCOPE The British Journal of Play Therapy is published The British Journal of Play Therapy is a twice a year in Summer and Winter. Two issues national journal with a focus on the theoretical form a volume. The journal is published on behalf and research aspects of Play Therapy practice. of the British Association of Play Therapists. Its aim is to bring together the different theoretical and professional disciplines involved Subscription rates include delivery (but not VAT in Play Therapy and this will be reflected in the or Sales Tax where this is payable). composition of the Editorial Board. Nevertheless we welcome submission from all The annual subscription rates for volume 1 relevant professional backgrounds. The journal (2004) are as follows: thus aims to promote theoretical and research developments in the fields of Play Therapy prac- Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) tice. Submission of reviews, systematic reviews Institutions £50 and research papers which support Individual £30 evidence-based practice are also welcomed. Papers may assume any of the following forms: Europe Institutions £60 (a) Papers reporting original research findings. Individual £35 (b) Theoretical papers. (c) Review papers, which need not be North America (USA, Canada and Mexico) exhaustive, but which should give an Institutions £70 interpretation of the state of research or practice Individual £40 in a given field and, where appropriate, identify its clinical implications. Orders, which must be accompanied by (d) Systematic reviews. payment, may be sent to: Journal Department, (e) Brief reports and comments. The British Association of Play Therapists, 31 Cedar Drive, Keynsham, Bristol, England, BS31 2TY. CORRESPONDENCE Correspondence to the Editor should be sent to COPYING BAPT, 31 Cedar Drive, Keynsham, Bristol, No part of this publication may be reproduced, England, BS31 2TY. stored or distributed by any means without [email protected] permission in writing from the British Association of Play Therapists. Organisations authorised by the UK Copyright Licensing Agency may also photocopy material Copyright © 2004 British Association of Play subject to the usual conditions. Therapists (BAPT). All rights reserved. BRITISH JOURNAL OF PLAY THERAPY Volume 1 Number 1 May 2004 Editor ROBERT DIGHTON School of Psychology and Therapeutic Studies, Roehampton University of Surrey, London, England Correspondence to the Editor should be sent to BAPT, 31 Cedar Drive, Keynsham, Bristol, England, BS31 2TY. [email protected] BRITISH JOURNAL OF PLAY THERAPY 2004 VOLUME 1 NUMBER 1 MAY EDITORIAL Robert Dighton 4 PAPERS D. Hutton 5 Storytelling and its application in non directive play therapy K. Robson and A. Tooby 16 Play Therapy with Looked After Children: An Attachment Perspective J. Carroll 26 Play Therapists and the Children's Rights Movement V. Ryan 35 'My new mum'. How drawing can help children rework their internal models of attachment relationships in non-directive play therapy C. Daniel-McKeigue 47 Transforming Therapy into Research. Is it possible to conduct research that investigates the process of play therapy without affecting the delicate balance of the relationship between the child and therapist, which is central to the therapy? A. S. Naylor 56 Non-Directive Play Therapy: Should we and can we attempt to measure its effectiveness? Notes for Contributors 66 Table of Contents 3 Bri. J. Play Therapy, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 4, 2004 British Association of Play Therapists Editorial - to Sue Sowerbutts - The publication of the British Journal of Play spectives on the 'child'. Various questions emerge: Therapy heralds the beginning of a new era in the pro- Are client's having significantly different experiences fession. It represents not only a synergy of theory, to that of adults in the play therapy process? How, as practice and research, but also a particular maturation play therapists, can we better understand the client's of the play therapy profession. In its infancy, play experience? Is it possible to meet the client's needs, as therapy focussed predominantly upon its mode of well as conforming to the ever increasing laws, regu- delivery. Over the last twelve to fifteen years, its the- lations and guidance for play therapy practice? oretical basis has rapidly evolved. This Journal pro- That our attachment experiences are internally rep- vides an academic context for play therapists and resented is not disputed, but in circumstances where related professionals to develop, explore and elucidate such representations are associated with difficulties theory, practice and research. The profession retains and complexity, how can we enable the client to distinct and diverse theoretical orientations. An adapt and transform such representations? This ques- essential function of the Journal is to provide a rigor- tion is central to Ryan's paper. Through case materi- ous and atheoretical forum for the presentation of al, Ryan details the process and function of play ther- papers. It is noteworthy that many tensions exist apy as context and method for enabling clients to between the theoretical perspectives in play therapy, adapt internal models of attachment. The theme of and whilst exploration of similarities is important, it attachment informed play therapy practice again is the tension between theories that invoke provoca- emerges. Such enquiry also offers potentially new and tion, challenge and creativity. Thus, the Journal is a fruitful research into children's representations of context that must tolerate theoretical difference. attachment, as well as the assessment and outcome Hutton's paper details the use of storytelling within measurement of play therapy practice. play therapy practice, highlighting its theoretical basis The final two papers both explore play therapy as a commonly used therapeutic method and explain- research. First, Daniel-McKeigue reviews the current ing its application in case material. Hutton utilises research base for play therapy and then elaborates the the use of storytelling as a psychological container for complexity of undertaking research within the thera- the client, thus facilitating symbolic expression and peutic relationship. Whilst further research is exploration. Linked to this symbolic method, the required, there exist clear and present dangers for therapist integrates a dyadic therapy mode to allow both therapist and client. The second, by Naylor, also the changes, understandings and shifts to translate questions the methodologies commonly used to into the parent-child relationship. investigate therapy with children. Taking a social Robson and Tooby's paper illustrates the complex constructionist perspective, Naylor illustrates the needs of looked after children; this client group often complexities implicit in play therapy research. expressing multiple, diverse needs with a significant Quantitative measures are commonly used, but can co-morbidity of mental health difficulties. Rather they adequately reflect the client's experience? Both than utilising the clients' familial attachments within Daniel-McKeigue and Naylor conclude that a the play therapy, Robson and Tooby suggest that the research methodology that involves the client, allow- therapists themselves serve as secure base figures. ing the client an active voice, is an essential goal for Since this client group exhibits diverse and complex play therapy research. need, the authors use an attachment informed Finally, I wish to note that the development of this approach to play therapy. Journal is the culmination of the fruitful and dynam- Carroll's paper elucidates the tensions surrounding ic dialogues with my first and primary clinical super- law, ethics, children's needs and play therapy practice. visor, Sue Sowerbutts. It is her wisdom, sensitivity Carroll describes the real-world conflicts for play and rigour that has long been the foundation stone of therapists, who practice in contradictory and poten- my play therapy career. It is to Sue that I wish to tially paradoxical national, international law, as well dedicate the very first editorial of the British Journal as ethical principles that underlie such laws. At the of Play Therapy. heart of this paper exist Carroll's doctoral thesis data. Robert Dighton The client's voice offers stark contrast to adults per- Bri. J. Play Therapy, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 5 - 15, 2004. © 2004 British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT). Printed in Great Britain. All rights reserved. Storytelling and its application in non directive play therapy Deborah Hutton Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England This article aims to address the use of storytelling within the practice of non-directive play therapy. Much of the literature currently published on the therapeutic use of sto- rytelling heralds from psychoanalytic child psychotherapy, structured ('problem focussed') play therapy or narrative therapy. By contrast to these therapies the non directive approach does not attempt to guide or alter the child's narrative but rather allows them to script their own story and experience the emotions associated with it's expression. The article focuses in particular on the shared storytelling process of a mother and her daughter as part of a longer non-directive