Playing through the unimaginable: Play therapy for traumatic loss.

Abstract

Play therapists inevitably work with traumatic death loss at some point in their careers. Unfortunately, most play therapists are not specialty-trained in traumatic loss, creating a treatment gap with this unique population. Although traditional methods of play therapy are empirically effective for traumatic death loss, adjustments in intake, toy selection, and termination can greatly enhance the therapeutic process. This article reviews the short-and long-term impacts of traumatic death loss, with a discussion of developmental processes and reactions to this painful experience. A detailed description of toy selection and traumatic play themes are discussed along with types of play demonstrated by traumatically bereaved children.

Serving together: Play therapy to foster attachment for grieving military families.

“…Additionally, due to the impact of frequent moves and relocations by military-connected children, the clinician may have a greater understanding of the difficulties military-connected children may experience during the relationship-building phase of individual play therapy. Beginning with a nondirective approach places the child in a relationship forward position until rapport is built, which is congruent with existing literature regarding play therapy for grieving children (Green & Connolly, 2009;Turner, 2020;Webb, 2003).…”

“…Gil ( 2005) also asserts that culture-based toys elicit symbolic expression that is meaningful to the specified culture. Stated differently, for grieving military-connected children, this translates to including toys within the playroom that adequately convey the symbolic experiences associated with grief (Turner, 2020) and military culture (Herzog et al, 2020). The inclusion of military symbols, combat-related items (tanks, soldiers, guns), military uniforms (different types of camouflage gear), dog tags, old military uniform patches, and medic and medical supplies provides culture-specific material to promote the symbolic expression of grieving military-connected children.…”

“…Existing literature supports play therapy for grieving children (Gonzalez & Bell, 2016; Salinas, 2021; Turner, 2020), however, there is a paucity of literature that specifically addresses grieving children in military families. Without evidence, clinicians must rely on related literature connected to grief and the experiences of military families.…”

“…Through CPRT, “parents learn how to create a nonjudgmental, understanding, and acceptable environment that enhances the parent–child relationship, thus facilitating personal growth and change for child and parent” (Landreth & Bratton, 2020, p. 10). For example, grieving children may externalize their feelings by acting out behaviorally, causing increased stress for the widowed parent (Ener & Ray, 2011; Scott, 2011; Turner, 2020). When parents apply CPRT knowledge at home, they may be more capable of providing a nurturing environment by empathetically attuning to their child’s emotional state by acknowledging and reflecting their feelings, setting therapeutic limits, and offering alternative choices to help their child express their feelings more appropriately (Landreth & Bratton, 2006, 2020).…”

Current Grief Support in Pediatric Palliative Care

“…Families can utilize art as a means for family bonding and coping, incorporating each person’s art contribution into a comprehensive piece which will endure for years to come. Play is the work of children [ 35 ] and allowing the dying child (if possible) and/or siblings to play out their experiences near the end of life can be a highly therapeutic form of expression [ 36 ].…”