65th Annual Conference

Friday, February 22

Morning Workshops

10:00 A.M.-1:15 P.M.

Workshop 43:

Through the Rabbit Hole: Creativity and Play in Groups

Chairs:     

Lise Motherwell, Ph.D., Psy.D., FAGPA, Faculty, Center for Psychoanalytic Studies, Mass General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
Gretchen Schmelzer, Ph.D., Senior Consultant, Teleos Leadership Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
 

Play is an important aspect of social, cognitive, and emotional development and play IS the work of therapy. Through creative games and research from object relations theory and cognitive neuroscience we will explore how play supports the strengthening of relationships and resilience in our clients. We will move from concrete play to the use of metaphor, humor, and imagination in our groups.
experiential-demonstration-didactic-sharing of work experiences
 

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:
1. Differentiate between concrete play and symbolic play.
2. Identify metaphors as they emerge in group settings and understand how to use them to deepen therapeutic work.
3. Distinguish between play as therapeutic and play as a defense.
 

Course References:

1. Sanville, J. (1991). The playground of psychoanalytic therapy. Hillsdale, NJ: The Analytic Press.
2. Schmelzer, G. & Motherwell, L. (2005). Women, Psychotherapy, and the Experience of Play. In Mirkin, M., Okun, B., & Suyemoto, K. (Eds.) Psychotherapy With Women: Exploring Diverse Contexts and Identities.
3. Winnicott, D.W. (1971). Playing and reality. London: Tavistock.