Clay with children who have lost or fear losing a loved one: The play therapist’s observations of some clients

Abstract

The creative use of clay in play therapy sessions encourages the expression of emotions, such as anger, sadness, fear and worry. It assists the child in different emotional areas and enhances client-therapist relationship. The therapist’s observations and understanding of the therapeutic use of clay in play therapy sessions with three children who had lost or feared losing someone in their family are exposed. The therapist concluded that clay was used by the children as a media to experience protection, containment, as well as release emotions that were making them angry and sad. It was a way that they found to work out their feelings and thoughts related to their loss or the fear of losing a loved one.