ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the essential aspects of a therapeutic setting. It describes how the therapy room is organised to be safe and flexible, allowing space for play and more formal discussion with the child, the parents and the family. Therapy may take place in different settings from a bare classroom to a comfortable child psychotherapy room supplied with a range of play materials, but the principles are similar. Each child or adolescent is given a selection of play materials in a box or file. These have been carefully selected to be relevant to the child’s age and development. A standard collection of play materials is suggested that can aid imaginative play, including a doll family of the child’s ethnic group, animal families both domestic and wild, drawing materials and a soft ball. Communal play materials, like a doll’s house and a sand tray encourage creative play, but once therapy begins, few additions are made, as the toys develop a symbolic meaning for the child over time. Other aspects of the therapeutic setting need clear boundaries, a regular time and room, and a time limit, usually a 50-minute hour. These boundaries can be flexible, but usually for good clinical reasons.
