Virginia Mae Axline

Born: 1911

Died: 1988

Country of Birth: USA

Nationality: USA

Ethnicity: White

Ohio State University BS English & Elementary Education 1931 & MS Psychology Administration 1940; Columbia University Teachers college PhD Education 1950

Field of Study: Psychology

Institution/Corporation: Ohio State University

Degrees & Memberships: None found

Awards: None found

Achievements: one of the pioneers in the use of play therapy; wrote the books "Dibs in Search of Self" & "Play Therapy" published in 1947; 1940s began to develop nondirective play therapy, the principles of which were based on Carl Rogers' newly emerging person-centered approach; in her first published work, she establishes the eight basic principles of nondirective play therapy which are: 1)The therapeutic relationship must be engaging, inviting, and warm from the beginning. 2)The child must be unconditionally accepted by the therapist. 3)The therapeutic environment must be totally non-judgmental for the child to feel uninhibited and willing to express emotions, feelings, and behaviors. 4)The therapist must be attentive and sensitive to the child's behaviors in order to provide reflective behaviors back to the child, this way he or she may develop self-awareness. 5)The child must be able to find solutions to his or her problems whenever possible. This way the child understands that they are solely responsible for the changes in behavior that he or she does not make. 6)Through dialogue and actions, the therapist acts as a shadow, allowing the child to lead the way through this therapeutic journey. 7)The therapist recognizes that the procedure is steady and should progress at the child's pace. 8)The only limitations are ones that ensure that the therapeutic process stay genuine and the child remain in the realm of reality, that he or she be aware of their purpose and role in the therapy;