ABSTRACT
This chapter considers theories of loss and their implication for play therapy practice. It discusses a number of practice issues, including working with the child’s wider system, the therapist’s use of self, trusting the child’s process, working flexibly, and evaluating therapy outcomes. A child or young person’s bereavement experience, regardless of their age, can be just as painful and overwhelming as that of any adult. Their responses, however, differ. The area of bereavement and loss, including the temptation to ‘rescue’ the child, can pose a considerable challenge to the play therapist. For the child, the sense of security in their world, which is fundamental to healthy emotional growth, has been snatched away and they may become anxious, regress behaviourally, become withdrawn or act out their bewilderment and despair through anger. Play therapy is particularly helpful for these children due to the nurturing environment, the respectful, non-judgemental stance of the therapist and the absence of pressure to ‘talk about it’.
