NONNDIRECTIVE THERAPY WITH CHILDREN

1. NONDIRECTIVE THERAPY
Virginia Axline (1911-1988)
OSORO FREDRICK
moengafredrick@gmail.com

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Virginia Axline was a 20th century psychologist who
pioneered the use of play therapy, which remains a
popular method for treating children.

3. 20 April 2023 KIBCO 3
In 1964, Axline published a revolutionary and inspiring
true story called Dibs in Search of Self.
The book chronicled her therapeutic relationship with a
five year-old boy who appeared withdrawn and
uncommunicative.
Though his parents suspected autism or
severe mental retardation to be the cause of his
behavior, Dibs emerged to find himself through play
therapy over the course of several months.
 When he developed the necessary skills to show his
true self to the world, Axline realized that he was a
genius with an IQ of 168.

4. The methods that Axline used to interact with Dibs are
identified and explained in this revolutionary, first-hand
account. The book has become a part of curriculum at
many universities and graduate schools and is still hailed
as one of the most influential books in the field of play
therapy.
Axline authored several other books during her illustrious
career.
Axline began to explore play therapy in the early 1940s
and eventually developed her own technique of non-
directive play therapy. Her core principles
and theories were created from the person-centered
approach developed by Carl Rogers.

5. Play therapy is based on nonverbal communication
through play. It strives to facilitate healing, as well
as psychological and behavioral changes in clients who
are most often children.
The goal is to afford the child the opportunity for self-
development, growth, and social integration.

6. • virginia Axline (1969, 1971) developed a play therapy for
children based on key principles of the person-centred
approach. Her approach became known as non-directive
play therapy.
• The person centred approach, originated by Carl Rogers,
places a primary focus on the relationship between
therapist and client that is based on genuineness,
acceptance and trust.

7. Eight distinct, core principles
The therapeutic relationship must be engaging and
inviting, providing warmth and rapport at the earliest
possible moment.
The child must be unconditionally accepted by the
therapist.
The therapeutic environment must be nonjudgmental in
order for the child to feel uninhibited in the expression of
emotions, feelings, and behaviors.
The therapist must be attentive and cognizant of the
child’s behaviors in order to provide reflective behaviors
back to the child so that he or she may develop self-
awareness.

8. The therapist relies on the child’s ability to find solutions, when
available, to his or her own problems and understands that the
child is solely responsible for the transformational choices he or
she makes or does not make.
The therapist acts as the shadow, allowing the child to lead the
therapeutic journey through dialogue and actions.
The therapist recognizes that the procedure is one that is
steady and should progress at its own pace, not a pace set by
the therapist.
The only limitations and boundaries that are set are ones that
ensure the therapeutic process stay genuine and that the child
remains in the realm of reality, aware of his or her purpose and
role in the therapy.

9. PLAY THERAPY
• Play therapy can be defined as a means through which a
therapeutic relationship between the therapist and child is
created whereby play becomes the principal medium of
communication, shared understanding, insight and change
(Wilson 2000).

10. • Playfulness in children is considered to be a stable aspect
of personality related to such things as creativity,
imaginativeness, positive effect, emotional
expressiveness and physical activity; which are all
resources for creative solutions to problems (Botkin,
2000).

11. • In the context of the important role that play has in the
normal growth and development of the child play therapy
has been specifically developed to take advantage of this
in order to help children between the ages of 3 to 12
years of age to communicate and interact effectively with
the therapist in order to address their problems or
challenges (Geldard & Geldard, 2008).

12. • Through the medium of play, child and therapist work
together in a counselling space called a playroom, which
is equipped with toys that aim to encourage clear and
vivid expression of feelings while supporting the
development of healthier behaviours in a safe, non-
threatening environment (Herbert & Ballard, 2007; Levy,
2008; Rasmussen & Cunnigham, 1995).

13. BENEFITS OF PLAY THERAPY
Some of the potential benefits of play therapy are:
• taking more responsibility for certain behaviors
• developing coping strategies and creative problem-solving
skills
• self-respect
• empathy and respect for others
• alleviation of anxiety
• learning to fully experience and express feelings
• stronger social skills
• stronger family relationships