Learn All About Play Therapy Masks in Play Therapy

If you are a play therapist you need to be using play therapy masks in session. School counselors can also benefit by using these play therapy masks in school counseling groups, or individual sessions. Let us show you how to use these play therapy tools with your clients, or students.

Play Therapy Mask Making Activity

The purpose of this play therapy activity is to identify the different masks we wear in different situations.

When we wear masks we are putting on a facade. Help your play therapy client identify what masks they are wearing in different situations with this play therapy activity.

Materials for Play Therapy Masks:

-Cut out of the play therapy mask below on card stock paper

-Art supplies for decoration of the play therapy mask: paint, markers, glue, glitter, scissors, feathers, fake gems, yarn, etc. (See mask cutout below or have your client create their own)

- Large popsicle stick for holding the play therapy mask to the face.

Directions for Play Therapy Mask:

1. Ask the play therapy client to identify one feeling that they “mask” and try to hide.

What is the feeling they use to cover up the “hidden” feeling?

Process with the play therapy client how masks build walls in relationships.

2. The play therapy client, or student, will decorate the play therapy mask with the identified feeling. Add the popsicle stick to the bottom of the mask.

3. After decorating the play therapy mask ask the play therapy client, or student, the following questions:

- What does this play therapy mask mean to you? When do you need to put the play therapy mask on?

Why do you feel you need to wear the play therapy mask?

How does it protect you?

How does it hurt you?

- Put the play therapy mask up to your face. How do you feel when you wear the play therapy mask? Now take it off. How do you feel when you take the play therapy mask off?

- Ask the play therapy client, or student if they truly feel they are being true to their real self when they wear the play therapy mask.

How can they learn to take the play therapy mask off and let their real self show?

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Play Therapy Mask Cut Out

A feeling I try to hide behind a mask I wear is (Write the feeling below):

______________________

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.