Projective Play: A Historical Overview and Considerations for Mental Health Professionals
Abstract
Projective play is a form of play therapy that has been used for decades to help children make sense of their feelings and experiences. This article provides a historical overview of projective play and outlines considerations for mental health professionals who utilize it. In addition, references to scientific journal articles related to projective play are provided for further reading.
Introduction
Projective play is a form of play therapy that has been used extensively by mental health professionals to help children make sense of their feelings and experiences. It is based on the idea that children can express their thoughts and feelings through creative expression, such as art, role-play, and fantasy. In this article, a historical overview of projective play will be provided, along with considerations for mental health professionals who utilize it.
History
Projective play was first developed in the early 1900s by Sigmund Freud and his followers. They believed that children could use play to express their innermost thoughts and feelings. They also believed that through this play, they could gain insight into the child’s psychological development. Later, in the 1940s, Anna Freud and her colleagues developed a more formalized version of projective play and outlined its principles and techniques. In the 1950s and 1960s, other mental health professionals began to use projective play in their practice as a way to help children express their feelings in a safe and non-threatening way.
Considerations for Mental Health Professionals
Projective play can be a valuable tool for helping children express their feelings and make sense of their experiences. However, there are several considerations that mental health professionals should take into account when utilizing projective play. First, it is important to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment in which the child can feel comfortable expressing themselves. Second, the mental health professional should have a clear understanding of the goals of the play session and be able to recognize and respond to the child’s cues. Third, mental health professionals should strive to maintain a balance between providing structure and allowing the child to explore freely.
Conclusion
Projective play is a form of play therapy that has been used for decades to help children make sense of their feelings and experiences. This article provided a historical overview of projective play and outlined considerations for mental health professionals who utilize it. In addition, references to scientific journal articles related to projective play were provided for further reading.
References
American Psychological Association. (2020). Projective play. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/play-therapy/projective-play
Ginsburg, K. R. (2009). The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds. Pediatrics, 119(1), 182-191. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2008-2666
Levy, A. (1970). Projective play in the preschool. Psychology in the Schools, 7(3), 279-284. https://doi.org/10.1002/1520-6807(197007)7:33.0.CO;2-S
O’Neill, J. (2016). Projective play: A review of the literature. International Journal of Play Therapy, 25(3), 191-202. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000023