Playing as a Therapeutic Method: a Theoretical Study

Abstract

Over the last 30 years it has been possible to observe a large number of authors with works dedicated to child care and parent-infant interactions in different theoretical approaches in psychology. Concomitant to this, playing emerges as a valuable instrument for observing and child care, as it allows the psychologist to understand the psychic reality and the functioning of the patient, and thus can assist in conflicts resolution. This article aims to review, from the theoretical point of view, from classic and current authors of psychoanalysis, important contributions about playing, describing different modalities used in therapy. Furthermore, the authors contextualize the psychoanalytic therapeutic setting as well as the selection and organization of toys that can be used in child therapy, reflecting on the meanings of symbolism, fantasy and repetition expressed in the therapeutic process in psychoanalytic practice. Through play, the child may evidence his imagination and his "make believe" world, and in this process he may be able to deal with frustrating aspects of reality, transform something passive into active, learn to share and experience social contact, and exercise its creativity and train its psychic plasticity which will be useful throughout life.