Play therapy, play for wellbeing and OutoftheBox

A group of ten OutoftheBox Members, including occupational therapists, play therapists, and those training to use therapeutic play skills shared some thoughts on how OutoftheBox may be used both therapeutically and in formal therapy settings.  The following is a summary of some of the discussion and some background information for those members considering the use of OutoftheBox approach in a therapeutic manner or context.

Various helping professions are using play in their therapy to enrich and support emotional and social wellbeing and nurture the play instinct in children and adults, including occupational therapists, counsellors, child psychotherapists, social workers, play and creative arts therapists.  Others are also informally using the OutoftheBox approach and stories to do this, leading people to deeper self-awareness and wholeness, in church, community and school settings.  All of these we consider having ‘therapeutic’ value, without making any claims that OutoftheBox is a therapy in itself or a therapeutic strategy for a particular profession. When not used by those with a training in therapy the term ‘play for wellbeing’ may be a useful description.

The decision to use OutoftheBox in a therapeutic setting or manner must be taken carefully, considering the storyteller’s background and competency to undertake work which could be considered risky.  There are ethical considerations to observe if storytellers are to maintain a high standard of personal and professional integrity.

OutoftheBox might be used in both individual and group work to enhance wellbeing, and OutoftheBox members have experience of using them in school nurture groups, mental health support, and community wellbeing groups, and in informal screening of child development.  Supervisors might consider creative supervision for clergy and therapy professionals with the OutoftheBox approach potentially offering new possibilities for reflection and growth.

Managing individual agency and the co-creation of stories, (their beginnings, middle and endings) in groups may present challenges for storytellers using OutoftheBox therapeutically, as they seek to engage the circle co-operatively in the creative process.  Group work should not be undertaken without some understanding and sensitivity towards group dynamics and the individual needs of group members.  

Making time for these stories ‘without endings’, and accepting ambiguity, paradox and disagreement whether you are doing targeted work or not, is critical to the effectiveness of OutoftheBox as a tool for wellbeing. For some people used to the transfer method of teaching this will not be 'learned' over the 13 hours of training which is why Membership of OutoftheBox gives access to training material and ongoing peer learning support through members' chats and story development teams. 

A note about ‘Play Therapy’ and ‘Play Therapists’.
Whilst Play therapy is gaining in reputation and use in different settings, it remains an unregulated and unprotected profession and title.  There are however two bodies who keep registers of therapists with accredited training, are judged fit to practise and maintain their CPD: Play Therapy UK (PTUK) and British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT)

There are several pathways towards Play Therapy registration with either PTUK or BAPT. PTUK’s therapists use a strictly non-directive approach until qualified at Diploma or Masters level.  Occupational Therapists, Teachers and others may also have training in the therapeutic use of play, relevant for their professional context from other organisations such as the Institute for Arts and Therapy in Education and may find OutoftheBox a valuable addition to their ‘toolkit’.

written by Judy Yeomans who is an OutoftheBox trainer and is currently training to be a Play therapist