Supporting Self-Compassion in Play Therapist Supervision

Abstract

Self-compassion is a powerful tool in enhancing mental health, interpersonal well-being, and motivation. It also serves as a protective force against vicarious traumatization, secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout that plagues play therapists. Play therapist supervisors who employ self-compassion strategies in their personal and/or professional lives provide the opportunity to facilitate self-compassion practices in their supervisory relationship, therefore impacting supervisees and the clients they serve. This chapter will review the construct of self-compassion and its role in play therapist well-being. Additionally, descriptions and differentiations of the constructs of vicarious traumatization, secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout will be reviewed. Finally, seven techniques for inviting self-compassion in play therapy supervision will be presented.