ABSTRACT
Child-centered play therapy (CCPT) is based on the belief that the primary healing factor for children experiencing difficulties in their lives is the relationship between the therapist and child. This chapter highlights the self-enhancing process as children are viewed as having an internal drive and direction towards healing and resiliency. Each child is thought to be the center of their own perceived phenomenological field in that what the child experiences is the child’s reality. Being “with” a child is at the core of CCPT. The CCPT therapist is congruent, fully present and attuned to the child, follows the child’s lead and rhythms, and reflects the child’s verbal and non-verbal communication, all the while conveying unconditional positive regard. In this chapter, CCPT is discussed through the lens of Polyvagal theory. The face-heart connection expressed through congruent facial expressions, eye contact, prosody, and voice intonation and emotionality is examined in the therapist-child relationship. A case example is presented to emphasize the importance of therapist use of self, intentional creation of safety, and co-regulation in the therapeutic relationship.
