The Use Of Games: A Therapeutic Tool With Children And Families

The integration of games into therapy provides an innovative therapeutic tool that may potentially enhance the therapeutic process. This article explores the use of games in relation to the theoretical constructs of social learning, cognitive behavioral, psychoanalytic, and gestalt theories. In addition, the author discusses types of games, therapeutic components of games, and areas that impact the use of this therapeutic tool. Finally, the article presents a method explaining how counselors can modify existing games and create their own games to incorporate within the therapeutic process for individual, family, and group therapy sessions. © 2008 Association for Play Therapy