Play therapy as an approach in counseling children: A proposal for Silliman University Elementary School, Dumaguete City

The initial pages of this study attempts to present the rationale for proposing a counseling approach suited to the needs of the children at Silliman University Elementary School. The philosophy behind this approach called Play Therapy is threefold, namely : 1. Play is the child\u27s whole world 2) Through play, the child unconsciously exposes his inner self 3) Through play, manipulated by a competent counselor, the child can be rehabilitated from the maladaptive to the normal. Likewise, the proposal for organizing a play therapy program for the pupils at Silliman University School is seen on three basis, namely: the problems and needs of the children of SUES the case study of Gerard in play therapy and the theoretical framework of play therapy which is the result of readings, actual play therapy experience, and interviews with child psychologists and guidance counselors. Each of these bases brought about interesting findings and positive results about play therapy, and why it should be used as one of the approaches of counseling elementary school children