Adlerian Play Therapy In Schools: Essential Principles For A K-5th School-Based Mental Health Curriculum

Author

Jasmine Major, Prairie View A&M University

Date of Award

12-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Discipline

Clinical Adolescent Psychology

Abstract

In the United States, 70% to 80% of children who need some form of mental health intervention will not receive services. Schools are an environment that can serve as a critical site for mental health prevention and intervention. Adlerian Play Therapy (AdPT) is an evidence-based practice and has demonstrated efficacy in improving children’s social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes. This study sought to support research efforts to include Adlerian Play Therapy as a viable play-based intervention that could be used in school settings, similar to Child Centered Play Therapy. Increasing the utility of AdPT in school settings widens the scope of viable play therapy interventions in schools and further demonstrates the effectiveness of AdPT in addressing symptoms associated with mental health challenges that present in classroom settings.

This study utilized a qualitative cross-sectional research design. Qualitative data was gathered through focus groups with licensed mental health professionals who either had a play therapy credential (RPT, RPT-S, SB-RPT), or were actively seeking a play therapy credential, with experience working in a K-12 setting. The sample consisted of five 90-minute focus groups with a total of 18 participants. Transcripts generated from focus group sessions underwent a thematic analysis and were coded and analyzed for content and themes related to specified research questions.

Findings from data analysis suggest that AdPT is a better fit in school systems than traditional school-based mental health interventions, such as SEL, due to AdPT’s developmentally appropriate play-based processes for positive behavioral change. Potential barriers to implementation of AdPT in school settings include systemic obstacles, operational issues, and perceptual challenges. Strategies for addressing these barriers are included in addition to recommendations for future research.

Keywords: Adlerian play therapy, school-based mental health, social emotional learning, play therapy in education, barriers to mental health in schools, therapeutic interventions for children

Committee Chair/Advisor

Stacie DeFreitas

Committee Member

Joseph Pelletier

Committee Member

Farrah Cambrice

Committee Member

Steven Parks

Publisher

Prairie View A&M University

Rights

© 2021 Prairie View A & M University

Date of Digitization

1/14/2025

Contributing Institution

John B Coleman Library

City of Publication

Prairie View

MIME Type

Application/PDF

Recommended Citation

Major, J. (2024). Adlerian Play Therapy In Schools: Essential Principles For A K-5th School-Based Mental Health Curriculum. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.pvamu.edu/pvamu-dissertations/106