Description
Assessment and goal setting can feel complex within non-directive play therapy practice, where the therapeutic process is guided by the child’s pace, play, and emotional expression. While this approach is central to respecting the child’s autonomy, many practitioners can feel uncertain about how to define goals, demonstrate progress, or communicate outcomes in a clear and meaningful way. This Continuing Professional Development (CPD) webinar addresses this tension by exploring how thoughtful, developmentally informed assessment and flexible goal setting can enhance therapeutic clarity without compromising the integrity of the play therapy process.
The session will explore how therapists can gather and integrate information in play-informed and child-centred ways, drawing on observation, relational understanding, and collaboration with parents, carers, and referrers. Participants will consider how assessment can be an ongoing, reflective process rather than a fixed or overly formalised task, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the child’s emotional, behavioural, and relational world. Emphasis will be placed on maintaining a balance between therapeutic responsiveness and professional accountability, particularly when working within organisational, educational, or funded service contexts.
The webinar will also explore how to set flexible, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate goals that honour the child’s individuality while providing a framework for tracking change over time. Participants will develop confidence in communicating progress and outcomes in a way that is transparent, ethical, and accessible to stakeholders, while safeguarding the confidentiality and relational depth of the therapeutic work. Through discussion, reflection, and practical examples, practitioners will strengthen their ability to evidence impact while remaining grounded in child-centred, play-based practice.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this webinar participants will be able to:
Understand the purpose and value of assessment and goal setting within a play therapy framework.
Use developmentally appropriate and play-informed methods to assess emotional, behavioural, and relational needs in children.
Collaborate effectively with parents, carers, and referrers to gather relevant information and co-create therapeutic goals.
Set flexible, meaningful, and child-centred goals grounded in developmental stage and presenting needs.
Use ongoing observation, reflection, and clinical thinking to monitor progress over time.
Adapt goals responsively in line with the child’s therapeutic journey and emerging needs.
Communicate therapeutic progress and outcomes clearly and ethically while maintaining confidentiality and therapeutic integrity.
Balance the requirements of accountability with the principles of non-directive, child-led therapeutic practice.
Why Attend?
For many play therapists, particularly those working in commissioned, school-based, or externally funded services, demonstrating outcomes while remaining faithful to non-directive principles can feel challenging. This webinar offers practical guidance and reflective space to bridge that gap, supporting practitioners to feel more confident in articulating the value and impact of their work.
Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how assessment and goal setting can enhance, rather than constrain, therapeutic practice—supporting both clinical depth and professional accountability.
