What to expect in Theraplay

What to Expect in a Course of Theraplay

• An initial intake interview with the therapist is made to gather in-depth history and current functioning of the child. A determination will then be made as to whether the child is a candidate for Theraplay.

• The child and each caregiver are videotaped while doing ten fun, structured tasks together—called a Marshak Interaction Method, or MIM assessment.

• With the caregiver(s), the therapist discusses observations of the child’s behaviors and the caregiver’s ways of dealing with the child from the videotaped session. A treatment plan is developed based on the structuring, engaging, nurturing, and challenging needs specific to the individual child and family.

• For four or five sessions, the therapist interact with the child, duplicating (regardless of age) the kind of playful behavior and fun games that parents and young children naturally engage in together. The caregiver observes (either directly or from videotape) with another therapist, called the interpreting therapist. The interpreting therapist explains the rationale of the activities, answers questions about the child, and encourages ideas for activities and interactions at home.

• During the last six or seven session (or more if needed), caregivers join in the Theraplay activities directly, so that both the child and the caregiver(s) activity participate.

• The final session ends with a good-bye party.

• Four follow-up sessions are scheduled at quarterly intervals over the next year to monitor changes and progress.