Interview with Georgia Association for Play Therapy

DEANA TRUONG – Unlike the name suggests, play therapy isn’t the same thing as playing in the everyday sense of the term. Instead, there is a method underlying the process as a sophisticated approach to conducting therapy. The APT defines play therapy as “the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained Play Therapists to use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development.”

The typical clients that play therapists see are between the ages of 3-12, but may also include people of all ages. The method can be helpful in dealing with a plethora of conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 

The APT, or Association for Play Therapy, is a national professional society founded in 1982 by Charles E. Schaefer, also known as the “Father of Play Therapy.” The psychologist pioneered the discipline of play therapy with his 1976 book, “Therapeutic Use of Child’s Play,” but since then has worked tirelessly to further the literature on play therapy. 

The APT is continuing to promote the work of Dr. Schaefer and the benefits of play therapy. Their website contains multiple resources to find training in becoming a play therapist, finding a play therapist, and learning more information on play therapy as a practice. 

Interview with the Founder of the Georgia Association for Play Therapy

Trudy Post Sprunk is the founder and former President of the Georgia Association for Play Therapy. She is certified in multiple areas of psychological intervention, including play therapy. She is currently a practicing therapist with 51 years of experience. Her practice, Tucker Center for Personal Growth, is located in Tucker, GA. 

Stethoscope Magazine conducted an interview with Trudy Post Sprunk to gain an understanding of play therapy as a method of therapeutics.

Stethoscope Mag.: Could you define what play therapy is, in your own words?

Trudy: A healing methodology that works with all ages.

Stethoscope Mag.: Even though children are the main clients that you see undergo play therapy, do you think adults could benefit significantly as well? 

Trudy: Yes. I actually have a 97-year-old client that I am seeing right now and I also have a 73-year-old who has an appointment today. 

Stethoscope Mag.: Is the purpose of the games themselves to directly help the child process their cognitive and emotional experiences or is the purpose of the game to form a safe environment, as a background of sorts, for the therapist or counselor to work with the client?

Trudy: Yes. It’s really both, but the function varies depending on the game. 

Stethoscope Mag.: Could you tell us about some of the play techniques that are utilized with your clients and explain them?

Trudy: I have a whole collection of sand trays with different color sands – black sand, blue sand, green sand, and purple sand – and basically, if they are interested, they put toys in the sand to tell their story. The un-game is a card game with questions on each card, where the client and the therapist take turns answering the questions. Most of my kids are okay with the un-game because it’s not so personal. Boat-storm lighthouse is one of the games that I created, where I ask a child to make up a story about a boat, a storm, and a lighthouse. The story they tell is their story, only they don’t know it. It’s in disguise and depending on what happens in the made-up story – the boat crashes, there are survivors, or they make it to the lighthouse – tells me something about what is happening in their story. 

Trudy’s storage room fully stocked with toys

Stethoscope Mag.: Do you see any clients with dementia?

Trudy: Not yet, but my clients are getting older. There can be progress that is made with engaging dementia patients in play therapy, but many do not seek the help that we can provide. 

Stethoscope Mag.: How much is a session with you, and do you accept insurance?
Trudy: I do not accept insurance, but every 1-hour session is $270 and 45-minute sessions are $170.

Copy Editor – Yeongseo Son

Photography Source – https://www.katielear.com/child-therapy-blog/registered-play-therapist