Courses

The Play Therapy emphasis includes:

• CNSL 837 -    Child Counseling: Play Therapy
• CNSL 848 -    Play Therapy Theories (Advanced Play Therapy)
• CNSL 849 -    Activity Group Therapy
• CNSL 853 -    Child/ Parent Relationship Therapy
• CNSL 865 -    Practicum in Play Therapy
• CNSL 866 -    Internship in Play Therapy

CNSL A837 Counseling Children: Play Therapy 3 crs.
Counseling Children: Play Therapy explores the range of school and clinic-based approaches used by mental health professionals to help children. This course is an introduction to play therapy theory, and includes a on site practicum experience. Topics will include theory, developing a therapeutic relationship with a child, fostering involvement with the parent(s), family play therapy, sandtray skills, and using play therapy with groups. 

CNSL A848 Play Therapy Theories 3 crs.
This course is designed to use both didactic and dynamic components of knowledge acquisition of skill competencies in play therapy as a therapeutic intervention for children, adolescents, and families. Students will become capable of articulating: theoretical conceptualizations of child clients; stages of therapy according to a variety of theories as applicable to child clients; ethical issues; diagnostic possibilities; and treatment plans.

CNSL A849 Activity Group Therapy 3 crs.
This course is designed to assist people who work with children in obtaining an understanding of the philosophy and rational for group work with children. This course will focus on the goals of group play/ activity therapy, the role of the play therapist, screening and selection of group members, and planning and structuring of sessions with emphasis on principals as well as application methods.

CNSL A853 Child/Parent Relationship Therapy 3 crs.
In this course, students will learn about the dynamic of the parent child relationship and how to work with parents and children in therapy. Students will learn how to navigate parent consults in play therapy, how to introduce, utilize and create filial therapy with parents individuals and in groups, how to intervene in the parent/child relationship in a positive way, how to assess a problem in the parent child relationship, and incorporating the family into child parent relationship therapy.

CNSL A865 Counseling Practicum 3 crs.
This course offers a supervised field experience in counseling for 10 hours a week in an off campus service learning site. Students wishing to have experiences in play therapy should choose a site where play therapy is available.

CNSL A866 Internship I - 3 crs.
This course offers a supervised field experience in counseling for 20 hours a week in an off campus service learning site. Students wishing to have experiences in play therapy should choose a site where play therapy is available.