Play Therapy -- Mystery Counseling Sesssion

by S. Simmons
(Mercer Univ.)

Play Therapy -- Mystery Counseling Sesssion S. S.

Play Therapy -- Mystery Counseling Sesssion S. S.

I received Candyland as my assignment for the Mystery Counseling Session Play Therapy activity. I was excited because I love Candyland and most other board games in general. I like the Candyland motif for a Mystery Counseling Session because it would appeal to most any kid (what kid doesn’t like candy?), and I believe most kids would enthusiastically want to help build it. My seven-year old son helped me to put this together, and he chose and placed the miniatures within this scene.

Candyland would mean something different to every child. For me, it conjures up images of the board game, which I have and play with my kids every so often. It made my son think of some images from “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory,” so he decided to make a chocolate lake. We made lollipops of different flavors, a slide into the lake, chocolate-peanut butter rocks, and a tree with lemons and grapefruit candies. I’m sure some children would go wild with the thought of creating a world with candy.

The Candyland theme is a great way of reframing a problematic situation into a positive one. If someone is going through a rough time or having minor problems with one or more individuals, the theme can serve as a reminder that everyone likes to play and have fun, and that it is possible to get back to a point of harmony or equilibrium. For example, if my son were having a problem with his younger brother being generally annoying, using his things, and wanting to be around him all the time, this activity can serve as a focus for him to understand his brother’s perspective (hey, he likes the same things as you, and he likes to have fun, too) and the scene provides the context in which it is possible for everyone to get along and have fun. Hence, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Click here to post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Submit Your Creative Counseling Ideas / Lessons with Other Professionals / Publish Your Ideas Here!.

Disclaimer: This website and its content is intended for trained licensed mental health professionals and school certified mental health professionals to use for their clients / students at their own discretion.

*If you ignore the disclaimer above are using these techniques on yourself and you feel any discomfort or upset it is highly suggested that you seek out a licensed  mental health professional immediately.

"Beyond Art Therapy" is the concept from Dr. Stangline that combines all creative fields in therapy. It is not the traditional "art therapy" but goes beyond to include sand tray therapy, play therapy, mindfulness, meditation, color therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a vast majority of other therapies.

For any other type of mental health emergency call your local 911 / Police Number immediately.

Dr. Stangline does not offer advice / suggestions to anyone who is not a professional mental health provider, or a student who is studying this field and has questions about mental health programs of study.

Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

See our Exciting Selection of eBooks:

Award Winning:

Creative Counseling 101 eBook 
Our Best Seller!

Step By Step Therapy:

Learn how to be a more Creative Therapist with the Book that started it all!

- Graduate School Counseling book used by hundreds of graduate counseling students!

- Includes full color reproducible worksheets with most activities.

- Winner of the Counselor Writer of the Year Award, 2011, Georgia Regional Award

Download Your Copy Today Only $39.95: 

See Creative Counseling 101 eBook Information Here:

Get the Set
of all four  

eBooks for only $98.95:
An incredible collection of how to do therapy eBooks!
A $159.80 Value,
You Save Over $60!

Get your complete set of the Creative Counseling 101.com eBooks by Dr. Michelle Stangline for only $98.95, that's less than $25.00 per eBook (Regular Price is $39.95 for each eBook.).

Your complete set includes:

- Creative Counseling 101

- Creative Group Counseling 101

- Creative Play Therapy 101

- Creative Sand Tray 101

For more information click the link below:

See Complete Set of eBooks For Sale Here:

New!!! "Beyond Art Therapy" 101 eBook

Over 300 pages of Beyond Art Therapy activities and techniques. Learn what I teach graduate counseling students!

See the link below for more information.

Only $39.95

Art Therapy 101 eBook for Sale Link

See More Invividual eBooks For Sale:

Sand Tray Therapy 101 eBook:

Learn how to do Sand Tray Therapy or enhance your skills.

Sand Tray Therapy eBook for Sale Link

Play Therapy 101 eBook

Learn how to do play therapy or enhance your skills.

Play Therapy eBook For Sale Link

Small Group Counseling eBook For Sale:

Learn how to do creative group therapy and enhance your skills.

Creative Group Therapy eBook For Sale Link

School Counselor Guidance Lesson & Social Stories eBook for sale:

Get a year's worth of school counselor guidance lessons with "Creative Warm & Fuzzy Classroom Guidance Lessons eBook". Introduce your students to the "Warm & Fuzzy Way". Click the link below for more information:

Warm & Fuzzy School Counselor Guidance Lessons eBook