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This webinar strengthens child and play therapists’ skills in gaining insight into the child’s perceptions of the quality of their family (and other) relationships. While you may already use some version of a symbolic genogram, this webinar will go beyond the basics to show how you can use the Symbolic Family Representation Technique dynamically to gain rich and meaningful insights.

You will be provided with a procedure and range of prompts to support a child’s expression of their relationships, and to notice attachment patterns, family dynamics and their relational style that may be revealed.

This play-based activity is particularly helpful when working with children who have experienced stressors within their family and attachment relationships, such as parental separation, loss and grief, or family violence, and for children living in kinship or Out of Home Care. 

We’ll also consider how this activity can be adapted to explore children’s relationships in their school setting (e.g. peer and/or teacher relationships).

You will participate in an experiential activity to practice the technique yourself, so please bring along approximately 20 miniatures for your use.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1) Describe the role of the Symbolic Family Representation Technique in child and play therapy

2) Facilitate children’s creation and interpretation of Symbolic Family Representations

3) Explore ways to incorporate dynamic elements into Symbolic Family Representations to enhance understanding of the child's attachment relationships and provide deeper insights into how they may interact with the therapist during therapy