Prescriptive Play Therapy for Attachment Wounds

Play therapists are often at loss when treating attachment wounds. We will take a prescriptive approach to play therapy treatment of attachment wounds, using neurosequential thinking and play therapy techniques and attachment-focused modalities to support gradual change.  Our goal will be for clinicians to increase the intentional use of the self in these encounters with children (and their caregivers).

We will also focus on developing an in-depth case formulation and treatment plan and apply Child-Centered, Gestalt and other play therapy approaches within a prescriptive framework based on the current literature on polyvagal theory, developmental trauma and attachment and discuss the complications therapists may encounter in using trauma approaches to heal “attachment trauma”. Inviting the family/caregivers into these attachment focused play therapy activities will increase their ability to mentalize for the child and allow for improved relationships at home, school and in the community.