Sri Milfayetty (Milfa) mulai bekerja sebagai pendidik tahun 1984. Di awali dengan mengelola pendidikan di Taman Kanak-Kanak, hingga pendidik di Perguruan Tinggi. Sejalan dengan ini Milfa juga bekerja sebagai konselor pendidikan. Pengalaman menjadi pengajar dan konselor memberi pemahaman pada Milfa bahwa setiap anak perlu memiliki kecakapan hidup seperti kemampuan menghadapi realita, ketangguhan dalam menghadapi permasalahan dan kemandirian dalam menemukan solusi. Pemahaman ini mendorong Milfa untuk memperdalam tentang hubungan bermain di masa kecil dengan perilaku di masa dewasa. Orang-orang dewasa yang memiliki pengalaman bermain yang cukup di masa kecil ternyata menjadi orang dewasa yang lebih luwes dalam menghadapi realita, memiliki ketangguhan untuk bertahan dan menemukan solusi lebih cepat dan tepat dibanding dengan mereka yang masa kecilnya kurang bermain. Pemahaman ini kemudian menuntun Milfa untuk mengambil program Postgraduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills dan Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy di CAE Indonesia. Pengalaman klinis menunjukkan bahwa model integratif holistik dalam terapi bermain (Play Therapy) efektif dalam membantu kemampuan anak dalam menghadapi masalahnya. Sehingga anak-anak normal yang mengalami masalah menjadi lebih pesat perkembangannya. Demikian juga terhadap anak-anak special need menjadi bertambah baik kemampuannya dalam menghadapi masalah sosial, pengendalian diri, pergaulan dan hiperaktivitas. Saat ini Milfa mengajak para pendidik, orang tua untuk menerapkan bermain dengan creative art dalam pendidikan sekaligus mendorong masyarakat untuk menemukan kearifan lokal permainan tradisional dan memadukannya dengan permainan inovatif di era ini. Menurut Milfa bermain adalah naluri manusia yang perlu dipenuhi sejak dini untuk mendapatkan sense tentang kearifan kelak di masa dewasa.
Fibrina Bian Rhapsodia
Play Therapy brings us together as we share the same believes that children’s language is play. Through play, children can feel at ease when they are sharing their stories or letting their emotions out. We use many kinds of tailored tools to help these children, such as: therapeutic story, music, art, puppet and many more. Children are allowed freely to choose whatever toys they want to use and however way they want to use the toys. All in one rules, as long as nobody gets hurt in the room. We as the therapist, learn to believe the process that happens inside the room and trust that each child knows what they need. In this course we learn to be their mirror and conscience, we reflect what they say and do so that they can get insights and learn from them. Through the 100 clinical hours and supervision sessions, our steps are guided until we acquire confidence and experience. Our supervisor will make sure that each trainee therapist will get and receive what they needed to become a professional play therapist after the course is completed.
Inside the class, we enjoy the experiential learning experiences. Many find insights from just listening to the lessons delivered. Unlike any other course that let us only to sit and listen, hands on experience allow us to interact with other students who have different minds and attitudes toward many values in life. The acceptance in our differences and weaknesses made each of us dare to be ourselves and out of ourselves, which formed strong connection and unity.
These bring new understanding and new point of view that enrich all individual joining the program. Small numbers of 20 students also allow us to share ideas, experiences and feeling in a safe atmosphere. We believe that it was not a coincidence that we all were put in the same group. We see similar visions, we share the same passions and we have a tremendous compassion toward children
Through 15 days interactions, we were growing into more than just classmates, we were transforming into families with a really strong bond. We then know each other stories and we choose to assist and help in a way that we can without any force or whatsoever. Finishing the course means opening up to a new experience during our clinical hours.
Assistance and support provided by both the lecturer and friends become our strength. We become a solid group that provides information, listens to problems, gives solution, and most of all encourages positivity to achieve our mission and vision; helping all Indonesian children growing into mentally healthy individuals.
Mrs. Budiarti Silalahi (76, oldest student to participate in Play Therapy International program, Chief of Governing Board of Yayasan Indonesia Peduli Anak Berkebutuhan Khusus which campaigns in treatment and education of Children with Special Needs)
To me, learning Play Therapy opened a wide life knowledge which interconnected with mental health necessary for everyone. I was the first batch participant of Postgraduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills program. What i learned turned to be greatly different from previous programs that i participated in. It was amazing when my educational background and my age – i am currently 76 years old, and came from an unrelated field of study- are taken into consideration, since people my age would be reluctant to learn what i learned. Yet, i am so thankful to have taken this chance.
The classroom environment eased me to understand the materials, because the materials themselves are directly applicable. I am currently taking part in practice program, which involved 100 hours directly with children, in order to get certified. This requires me to be professional and responsible at the same time, since i will assist children to help thmselves; it is important to not letting any children go unhelped. This program also includes an equally professional supervision.
During sessions of Play Therapy, i was so excited to know that every children possessed their own uniqueness, which is influenced by many things, that led into various emotional, behavioural, social, and mental disorders. Play Therapy, in turn, helped myself to heal with things left unfinished from very long time. I felt grateful that i still have a chance to help kids healing themselves and to keep myself contributing for others, despite my advanced age. Seeing kids that i helped now be able to speak for themselves, either for their parents, society, even for the nation and the country added more value to my life.
The need for more professional Play Therapy practitioners is huge indeed. Let’s embrace this chance and join the Play Therapy Indonesia which is now the member of PTI (Play Therapy International).
Ibu Jacinta Fransisca Rini (Universitas Indonesia, Post Graduate Study – Clinical Psychology)
I inspired by the song by Lighthouse family…”I wish I could know how it feel to be free” 🗽
This is a little words from me about Play Therapy….
“no words can express how I feel
seeing a beautiful soul is free
ready to climb up the hill
With the trust that God is here”
The beautiful thing I found in Play Therapy….less words need to say because the heart speak thousands words in silence, yet it can rebuild broken connection with the self (and God) and thus the self was beautifully moving and dancing in such an order that only the self can understand…to find a way to be free and to be what she suppose to be….
Play Therapy is the key to unlock the chain that keeping my soul in bondage for years…and I believe it helps other in the same way too….