The Importance of Therapeutic Play
Presenters
- Karen McFadden, Ph.D., Brooklyn College
- Haroula Ntalla M.S.Ed./LP, Brooklyn College
Session / Time
- Breakout Session IV
- 2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
- Amersfort Room
Description
In this workshop, participants will explore the similarities and differences in play between typically developing children and children with special needs. They will gain a deep understanding of the importance of play as a way of communicating with children with developmental delays through clinical interpretation. In addition, they will learn on how to use play as a therapeutic intervention in conflict resolution and how to engage parents in simple everyday activities with their children so that they will be able to help them understand the world around them as well as process their everyday emotions.
Goals / Content / Intentionality
By the conclusion of this session, participants will:
- learn play techniques to understand the inner world of children with developmental delays,
- understand play as a way of communicating with nonverbal/preverbal children,
- use play as a therapeutic means to help children with developmental delays,
- use symbolic play to help children achieve resolution of inner conflicts and processing of emotions, and
- engage parents in play activities that promote development.
Presenter Bios
Haroula Ntalla, Haroula Ntalla M.S.Ed./LP, Brooklyn College
Haroula Ntalla M.S.Ed./LP, Brooklyn College
Clinical director at the Seleni Institute—a global nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the emotional health of individuals and families during the family-building years—Haroula Ntalla is a graduate of the adult psychoanalysis LP Program and an advanced candidate at the Training Institute of the Contemporary Freudian Society of New York. As a psychoanalyst, she brings an expertise in infant-family mental health and development, depression, anxiety, loss, and grief.
Mrs. Ntalla has worked with women, men, and their families and specializes on dyadic work, child and adult attachment disorders, couples therapy, and early trauma. She also treats patients with a wide range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, addictions, and psychosomatic disorders.
She has been a clinical education professor in Brooklyn College’s Early Childhood Education and Art Education Department for 12 years and worked in the early intervention and early childhood special education fields for more than 15 years.
