Text in Afrikaans / During pre-adolescence, whilst the transition from primary to high school normally takes place, the child faces drastic physical and emotional changes. Emotional intelligence is important in order to answer to demands in this stage and can be addressed and enhanced. Self-awareness (ability to identify own emotions, relate to others, being aware of personal strengths and weaknesses) is not addressed sufficiently. The research problem has been the use of a gestalt therapeutic process to address self-awareness during this stage, and the goal of the study, to explore the value of such a process. Qualitative research directed the process, which included literature studies, interviews with parents of respondents and eight gestalt therapeutic sessions with four pre-adolescents. Various gestalt play therapeutic techniques and -activities have been utilized. The processing and integration of the results of the empirical study, made it possible to explore and note what the value of a gestalt therapeutic process is on self-awareness in the pre-adolescent. Therefore the goal of the study has been successfully reached. / Die vroee adolessent ondergaan ingrypende en drastiese fisiese veranderinge en emosionele skommelinge. Dit is ook in hierdie tydsgleuf dat hy van laer- na hoerskool vorder. Belangrike keuses moet gemaak word te midde van groter druk vanaf die portuurgroep en 'n strewe na outonomie en onafhanklikheid van ouers. Dit is 'n ontwikkelingstadium tussen kindwees en volwassenheid. Ten einde aan die eise te voldoen, is emosionele intelligensie van kardinale belang. Emosionele intelligensie kan aangeleer en verbeter word en hou verband met die kind se aanwending van sy selfbewussyn om onder andere sy eie emosies korrek waar te neem, oor te dra en kennis oor persoonlike swaken sterk punte te bekom. Die studie is gerig deur die uitgangspunt dat selfbewussyn wat die heel basiese komponent van emosionele intelligensie is, nie voldoende by die vroee adolessent aangespreek word om hom toe te rus vir die eise tydens die oorgangsfase vanaf laer- na hoerskool nie. Die benutting van 'n gestaltspelterapeutiese proses om selfbewussyn by die vroee adolessent aan te spreek is as die navorsingsprobleem geformuleer. Die doel van die studie was dus om die benuttingswaarde van 'n gestaltspelterapeutiese proses om die selfbewussyn by die vroee adolessent aan te spreek, te verken en te beskryf. Ten einde in hierdie doel te kon slaag, is die navorsingsproses deur middel van kwalitatiewe navorsing gerig. Die volgende doelwitte is geformuleer, naamlik : Eerstens om 'n literatuurstudie te doen oor die vroee adolessent, selfbewussyn as basiese komponent van emosionele intelligensie en die benuttingsmoontlikhede van die gestaltspelterapeutiese benadering om selfbewussyn by die vroee adolessent aan te spreek .. Tweedens is semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude met die ouer(s) as respondente gevoer met behulp van 'n selfontwerpte vraelys. Derdens is vier gevallestudies waargeneem tydens agt onderhoudsituasies elk, om die selfbewussyn van die vroee adolessent aan te spreek. Verskeie gestaltspelterapeutiese vorme-, tegnieke en -aktiwiteite is vir die proses benut. Vanuit die prosessering en integrering van die bevindinge wat tydens die empiriese ondersoek verkry is, kon die data vir praktiese doeleindes toegepas word en is die benutting van 'n gestaltspelterapeutiese proses om die vroee adolessent se selfbewussyn aan te spreek, verken en beskryf. Daar is dus in die doel van die ondersoek geslaag, naamlik die verkenning en beskrywing van die benuttingswaarde van 'n gestaltspelterapeutiese proses ten einde selfbewussyn by die vroee adolessent aan te spreek. / Social work / M. Diac. (Spelterapie)

The research was directed at setting up guidelines for an interdisciplinary team which deals with children suffering from nonverbal learning disorder in middle childhood. The primary motive for the study was to, in general, further greater awareness of nonverbal learning disorder with parents and the relevant professions, but in particular, the interdisciplinary team which therapeutically handles children with nonverbal learning disorder. For the purpose of this study Thomas and Rothman's Intervention Research Model was applied. Information from relevant literature and semi-structured interviews with expertise in the area of learning disabilities was combined in order to set up guidelines for nonverbal learning disorder in middle childhood.The researcher concludes that thorough background knowledge of child development should be a precondition before nonverbal learning disorder could be identified and diagnosed. Because areas of development function interdependantly of each other, the developmental defecits of the nonverbal learning disorder child can only be treated effectively in a therapeutic way through an interdisciplinary team approach. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play therapy)

Text in Afrikaans / Euro-centric (Western) therapeutic approaches in psychotherapy are criticized by several authors as being unsuitable in an African context. The reconciliation of the contrasting approach of world- and human views regarding individualism (Western) and collectivism (Africa) is being questioned. In this research a qualitative approach was used. The objectives were to explore, describe and to explain the use of gestalt play therapy with the adolescent who suffered trauma due to the loss of one or both parents, in a multicultural context. Case studies were done on three adolescents in eight therapeutic sessions of Gestalt play therapy. The finding and conclusion of this research showed that Gestalt play therapy could be used with the traumatised adolescent in a multicultural context. The child could be understood from a holistic point of view as the individual as well as a member of a cultural group. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

This exploratory and descriptive investigation used the case study as research strategy to indi cate how writing may be used as a specialised form of therapy for an adolescent in the phase of mid-adolescence. The study researched and consolidated a body of knowledge concerning writing in a therapeutic context, while highlighting the Gestalt therapeutic approach. Its empirical integration culminated in a method for the use of therapists who irrespective of their therapeutic orientation wish to apply writing in therapy with adolescents. The dissertation argues that writing practised from a Gestalt therapeutic perspective should move gradually from being a tool of self-expression to becoming one of self-nurturing. It should guide the client through a process of self-regulation to a point of self-support. In such a process, writing in therapy will evolve into writing as therapy, a therapy practised by the client her- or himself as a means of achieving equilibrium. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

Traditional remedial intervention programmes address academic and perceptual deficits but not emotional needs. Existing literature suggests that most children with learning disabilities have concomitant emotional, behavioural and social difficulties; however an apparent lack of consensus regarding the types of emotional and behavioural difficulties faced by these children exists especially amongst teachers, parents and professionals in the field of learning disabilities. The aim of this study was to discover which emotions might emerge during Gestalt play therapy sessions with children receiving remedial intervention. Three respondents from three different remedial programmes participated in the study. Data was gathered from the therapeutic sessions as well as from unstructured interviews with parents, teachers and professionals in the field of learning disabilities. Recommendations are made as to how Gestalt play therapy could be implemented as an additional support for children receiving remedial intervention. / Tradisionele remediërings-programme spreek slegs akademiese en perseptuele tekortkominge aan en nie emosionele behoeftes nie. Bestaande literatuur dui daarop dat die meeste kinders met leerprobleme gepaardgaande emosionele, gedrags- en sosiale probleme ervaar. Daar is egter 'n gebrek aan konsensus tussen onderwysers, ouers en professionele persone op die gebied van leerprobleme, oor die tipe emosionele en gedragsprobleme waarmee hierdie leerders te kampe het. Die doel van hierdie studie was om vas te stel watter emosies tevoorskyn mag kom, tydens Gestalt-speel-terapie-sessies met leerders wat remediëringsonderrig ontvang. Drie respondente van drie verskillende remediërende programme het aan die studie deelgeneem. Data is ingesamel van terapeutiese sessies, sowel as van ongestruktureerde onderhoude met ouers, onderwysers en professionele persone in die veld van leerprobleme. Die bevindings van die studie blyk in ooreenstemming te wees met bestaande literatuur, naamlik dat kinders met leerprobleme bykomende emosionele en sosiale probleme ondervind. Aanbevelings is gemaak oor hoe Gestalt spelterapie geïmplementeer kan word as 'n addisionele ondersteuning vir kinders wat remediërende intervensie ontvang. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

Text in Afrikaans / The Gestalt Play Therapeutic approach is used as contextual frame in this research where-in music is applied as an aid for the aggressive emotions of the primary learner. Emotional and behavioral problems in children in primary and secondary schools and even in pre-primary schools, are assuming alarming proportions. From the holistic approach of the Gestalt theory, it has an influence on the development of areas such as the emotional, physical, cognitive and social in the phase of middle childhood. There is a lack of research findings on the effect of music during support to the aggressive primary learner within a Gestalt Play Therapeutic frame. The experimental single system design was used as research method as part of the quantitative investigation. The conclusion is that music was used successfully in the handling of rage and aggressive emotions in the group of child respondents within the context of the Gestalt approach. / Social Work / M.Diac. (Play Therapy)

Text in Afrikaans / The utilization value of the paradoxical theory of change in Gestalt Play Therapy with adolescents Adolescents undergo significant changes on physical, emotional, and cognitive levels during this development stage. These changes have a great influence on their self-awareness. Most adolescents experience great problems with who they are and who they should be according to the expectations of others. This causes a never-ending process of efforts to change. Change can only take place if the adolescent is who he is, but not if he tries to be what he is not. The consequence hereof is that change cannot take place in the adolescent, because he should first become aware of who he is. The awareness of who he is leads to change. The paradoxical theory of change is all about being who one is and not about trying to be what others expect one to be. The adolescent should be accompanied to become aware of who he is, by utilization of the paradoxical theory, in order to be able grow and change. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the utilization value of the paradoxical theory of change in Gestalt Play Therapy with adolescents. In order to achieve this goal, the research process was directed by qualitative research, and triangulation was utilized as a technique for gathering information. Out of the processing and integration of conclusions drawn during the empirical investigation, data could contribute to exploration and description of the assessment of the paradoxical theory of change in Gestalt play therapy with adolescents. The aim of the investigation was therefore achieved, namely the exploration and description of the utilization value of the paradoxical theory of change in Gestalt Play Therapy with adolescents. / Play thearapy / M.Diac.

One potent, yet little recognized tool in therapy is humour. As the desire to be entertained through humour is near universal the establishment and return of a positive sense of humour may be considered a goal of therapy. The goal of Gestalt exploration is awareness. From its origin Gestalt theory includes addressing body experiences such as laughter and emotional expression through humour. In Gestalt Theory a contact boundary disturbance such as deflection refers to the ways in which individuals may refuse contact with their environment in order to avoid aware¬ness. The goal of this study was to explore the implementation of humour as a deflective technique where contact boundary disturbances occur, to bring about change. Aspects of humour, namely the ability to perceive the comic as well as the ability to produce it, aid therapy and relationship building, and help the client to deflect in a way that enhances emotional well-being. / Humor, geringskat in terapie, is 'n uiters sterk hulpmiddel. Aangesien die behoefte om vermaak te word deur humor universeel is, is die terugkeer van 'n positiewe sin vir humor 'n deurdagte doel vir terapie. Die doel van die Gestalt eksplorasie is bewuswording. Van die begin af sluit Gestalt teorie liggaamservaringe soos lag en emosioneie uitdrukking deur humor in. In Gestalt Teorie verwys 'n kontakgrens versteuring soos defleksie, na die wyse waarop individue kontak met die omgewing vermy, om sodoende bewuswording te vermy. Die doel van die studie was om die implementering van humor as deflektiewe tegniek, waar kontak grens versteuringe en weerstande voorkom, as verandering teweeg kan bring. Aspekte van humor, naamlik die moontlikheid om die komiese waar te neem, sowel as om dit te produseer, versterk terapie and vehoudingsbou, beide aspekte help die klient om te deflekteer op so 'n wyse dat emosioneie goedvoel bevorder word. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

The difficulties experienced by children in their middle school age resemble problems with emotional intelligence. It is increased by cultural differences between the child, therapist and social environment. This research problem led to a culturally sensitive Gestalt play therapy intervention programme, to enhance primary school children's emotional intelligence. An intervention was developed, applied and the outcomes thereof studied. The outcomes relate to play therapy techniques, emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity. The researcher made use of applied research, and thus focused on solving the social problem as stated above, and making a contribution to real life issues. A literature study, related to the concepts of the unit of analysis showed the following: The primary school child has high energy levels and presents concrete reasoning abilities. His self-esteem is based on good interpersonal relationships and achieving tasks. Emotions and other physical and cognitive systems are interdependent. Emotional intelligence is the awareness, management and control of emotions, relate to the functions of the frontal lobes and also to the requirements of a healthy individual according to Gestalt therapy. Culture is connected to the field in Gestalt theory. Cultural sensitivity in this research study meant an attitude of acceptance of cultural differences. Gestalt therapy is based on holism, which includes the environment or field. Gestalt play therapy in a group context was found to be an effective way to teach emotional intelligence skills in a culturally sensitive way to primary school children. The intervention programme was applied to pilot- and research groups, compiled from children who were assessed with the Das-Naglieri Cognitive Assessment System (Naglieri and Das, 1997a) and who presented weaker frontal lobe processes in relation to their other cognitive skills. The outcomes of the research study identified the most effective Gestalt play therapy techniques, which are: The healing therapeutic relationship The use of experiential learning The Gestalt principle of "biding one's time" The study also delivered some unsuspected outcomes namely a relation between right-hemisphere processes and emotional intelligence. This study is still open for further research relating to the concepts discussed above, the intervention programme as well as the unsuspected outcomes. / Social Work / D.Diac.

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Every year, a significant number of children are being traumatized by the divorce of their parents. The aim of this study was to provide a guideline for Gestalt play therapists to enhance the resilience of children in middle childhood who have been traumatized by the divorce of their parents. To achieve this goal, the researcher made use of both the qualitative and the quantitative method of data collection. Data were collected by means of a literature study, four case studies, a semistructured interview and two questionares. The integration of the data collected through the empirical investigation enabled the researcher to compile a guideline to assist Gestalt play therapists in enhancing the resilience of children in middle childhood, traumatized by the divorce of their parents. By utilizing this guideline, Gestalt play therapists can assist children to overcome the damaging effects of the divorce. Simultaneously, the children are being empowered with skills enabling them to successfully deal with future setbacks. / 'n Beduidende aantal kinders word jaarliks getraumatiseer weens die egskeiding van hul ouers. Die doel vir die studie was om 'n riglyn vir Gestaltspelterapeute saam te stel waarvolgens die emosionele veerkragtigheid van die egskeidingsgetraumatiseerde kind in die middelkinderjare bevorder kan word. Ten einde bogenoemde doel te bereik het die navorser inligting ingesamel aan die hand van sowel die kwalitatiewe as die kwantitatiewe benadering. Inligting is ingesamel deur middel van 'n literatuurstudie, vier gevallestudies, 'n semigestruktureerde onderhoud en twee vraelyste. Vanuit die prosessering en integrering van bevindinge tydens die empiriese ondersoek verkry, is 'n riglyn vir Gestaltspelterapeute saamgestel. Deur die riglyn te benut kan Gestaltspelterapeute egskeidingsgetraumatiseerde kinders help om die skadelike uitwerking van egskeiding te oorkom. Tegelyk word die kinders ook met vaardighede bemagtig wat hulle toerus om toekomstige teleurstelling, teenspoed en trauma effektief te hanteer. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)