ABSTRACT
Assessment of play therapy is useful when aligning the evaluation process with the process described in person-centered therapy. The first step in assessing person-centered therapy is to evaluate the six conditions necessary for change. The child-centered play therapy therapist will continue to assess these six conditions throughout the therapeutic relationship with each child. Two play therapists, Clark Moustakas and Louise Guerney, developed theories of process change in play therapy related to childcentered or relationship-based play therapy. The first step in measuring progress is to understand the theory and process of play therapy, which can be applied to the therapist’s recognition of client change. When a therapist believes that the release of the self-actualizing tendency determines ultimate functionality and health, reaching termination decisions is challenging. J. West concluded that a therapist considers termination when a child exhibits greater selfconfidence, decreased problem behaviors, is realistic about problems and challenges, and shows improvements in peer relationships and school.
