Enhancing Self-Awareness Through Creative Experiential-Learning Play-Based Activities

Self-awareness is a critical component of developing counselors-intraining, as greater self-awareness increases empathy, congruence, and understanding of the client experience (Rogers, 1957). Creative activities used within counseling courses, such as a play therapy course, provide a medium for increasing students' self-awareness (Bar-On, 2007; Lennie, 2007; Luke & Kiweewa, 2010). The purpose of this article is to provide examples of experiential play-based activities used in a play therapy course to enhance counselor self-awareness through reflective practice. Additionally, the activities discussed may also support increased self-awareness in supervision, individual counseling, and group counseling. Finally, the article provides descriptive support (i.e., journal quotations) for these activities.