ABSTRACT
Play therapists often cite working with parents or guardians as the most challenging aspect of counseling with children. The absence or involvement of a parent in a child’s life is critical to the child’s development and emotional stability. The parent consultation model requires consistent contact between parent and play therapist for the purposes of providing support, teaching knowledge or skills, and monitoring progress. The first parent consultation has one primary goal: to develop a relationship with the parent so that the parent brings the child in for a first play therapy session. There are several features that contribute to a successful first parent consultation, including gathering developmental history, listening and conceptualizing parent concerns, defining and explaining play therapy, and addressing termination. Under most legal standards, mental health confidentiality regarding children belongs to the parent. Clear limitations of confidentiality are delineated as revelation of harm to self or others, or legal request for information.
