Metta is the voice under all silences
What is Play and Expressive Therapy (PET)?
PET is a formulation of effective counselling and personal growth methods that includes a range of traditional and process oriented methods that explore unconscious self-images, beliefs and habitual ways of being.
The underlying principles of PET is to bring emotional healing and clarity for adults, adolescents and children.
Principles of PET
The essential nature of this therapy is based on child/person centered philosophy. This theory of personality structure is based on 3 central concepts;
The person (thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical being)
The individual’s experiences (reality internally as well as externally)
The self (totality of perception the individual has)
The benchmark of PET is building resilience. The focus of PET is on developing the resilient nature of individuals, offering a sense of hope even in the most adverse conditions.
The benefits of Therapeutic PET are as follows:
*Learn to make choices
*Learn to be resourceful in confronting feelings and problems
*Learn their feelings are acceptable
*Strive towards independence and self-reliance which develops their resilience
and personal growth.
The six domains of resilience are:
Social intelligence
Stability and security
Education
Friendship
Interest and
Values
PET gives particular consideration with hands-on experience, achieving high success rates in meeting the individuals’ needs.
Play is fun and an enjoyable activity that elevates our spirits and brightens our outlook on life. It expends self-expression, self-knowledge, self-actualization and self-efficacy.
Play therapy helps children and adults address and resolve their own difficulties. It builds on the natural way that children and adults learn about themselves and their relationships in the world around them.
Play and expressive therapy encourages healthy growth and development, improves self-esteem and supports the development of self- control. PET is an excellent way to help individuals recover and heal from stressful or traumatic experiences.
PET sessions are ideally recommended once week over a period of 12 to 24 sessions. Usually the first four sessions are rapport building.
The Key Elements of Play and Expressive Therapy constitutes to the use of a range of techniques from different fields. It incorporates the use of various modalities like
- Art
- Sandplay
- Music
- Bio Energetics
- Expressive Writing
- Role Play
- Creative Visualization
- Self-Awareness Exercises
- Symbol Work
- Relaxation
- Personal Narratives
- Meditation