What You Really Need to Know About Directive Vs. Non-directive Play Therapy

When I ask play therapists about their theory sometimes I get an answer like this: 

“I’m a non-directive play therapist”.  

And as a Registered Play Therapist- Supervisor it’s my job to help clinicians go deeper.  More importantly, what I want clinicians to know?
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Non-directive Play Therapy isn’t a play therapy theory.

Directive Play Therapy isn’t a play therapy theory. 

AND I get it.  Often in the play therapy world there is the notion that we have to be directive or non-directive. The pressure to pick a side. 

And if you are just learning about play therapy - let’s face it, there’s a lot to unpack.

From the giant umbrella term of play therapy to the continuum of directive to non-directive it can feel like a complex algebra equation to figure out where you “belong” in the world of play therapy. 

So if you walk away from reading this with one thing, I want you to know that ‘directive’ and ‘non-directive’ describes HOW we do play therapy. 

Think of it as an approach, or a style of how we facilitate play therapy, not a stand alone model. Directive and non-directive often refer to the level of structure the play therapist provides and the belief about change. 

In directive approaches the therapist takes an active and leading role. Therapists use specific prompts, activities, or instructions.  Therapists who utilize directive approaches believe that the therapist's conceptualization of what a child needs to make progress is necessary for change. 

In non-directive approaches the therapist lets the child take the lead. The therapist participates from the stance of supporting and reflecting without imposing structure or an agenda. In non-directive approaches clinicians believe a child will gravitate towards exactly what they need to say, do, and create to heal. 

Next, both directive and non-directive play therapy can be effective for the treatment of children’s mental health.  There is research and evidence of efficacy of both directive and non-directive theories of play therapy! 

Lastly, there are some theories, populations, cultures, and ages of clients that may benefit from one style of play therapy over another. 

So, one way of facilitating play therapy isn’t superior to another. And directive vs. non-directive (or a combination of directive and non-directive) is a way of facilitating sessions.  

What you do in a session or why?  That question can only be answered by your actual play therapy theory - all of which fall into the directive, non-directive, or both categories!    
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