Rationale and Benefits of Using Play Therapy and Expressive Art Techniques in Supervision

Abstract

In this chapter, the authors describe creative supervision using play therapy and expressive arts modalities that offer a need driven alternative to the traditional supervisor-driven stage models of supervision. Play therapy and expressive arts supervision strategies are effective at increasing supervisee's awareness of self and others, supporting “out-of-the-box” thinking, opening supervisees' to their own strengths and intuition, and enhancing the supervisory relationship. In an attempt to illustrate the rationale and benefits of using play therapy strategies and expressive arts techniques in supervision, descriptions of various techniques are presented with examples, followed by a discussion on ethical and cultural considerations.