Many people ask me whether I am a non-directive therapist or a directive one. What does this actually mean? Unless I am there to proffer advice, give opinions, set my own agendas and lead the activities and conversations then surely in the broad sense of the word, I am 'non-directive'. However there is no such thing as a purely non-directive therapist as our very presence sets some kind of direction.
When people talk about 'non-directive' play therapy, or any other therapy, it needs to be qualified with the actual reality of 'what happens'; therapists are also role-models by the very way their are in the therapy room: how they dress, their voice and gestures and choice of words. Added to which, therapists choose what is in the play room, dramatherapy space or consulting room. This includes the toys, art materials, theatre props, scenes on the walls or paper weights. They create the decor, they have rules and set boundaries (which vary between individual therapists).
Lets be more honest about our own directiveness, of our own choices, of what we like to have in our environment. The early psychoanalysts pretended they were the 'blank screen' for their patients who were prone on the couch; let not pretend that we are the 'blank playmate' but a vibrant interactive partner in the play or drama or counsel. Led of course by the child, adult or group!
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