Teaching an Online Course in Expressive Modalities in Play Therapy to Counselors in Training

ABSTRACT

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many in-person graduate counseling courses were modified to a hybrid or online format. Courses that were developed to be heavy on experiential activities and application had to be switched quickly to an online format; however, not losing the expressive experience for students was a priority. Incorporating expressive modalities into traditional play therapy enables the therapist to achieve a deeper understanding of the client’s internal dynamics. This article describes how a course on expressive modality in play therapy was offered in an online format to counselors in training and discusses the expressive modalities introduced and class activities completed. The author provides a syllabus, material list, and recommendations for teaching an expressive modalities online course to counselors in training.

KEYWORDS:

• Expressive modalities
• play therapy
• online format
• teaching counselors in training

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).