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"I am M adam e Terrifique. I hav e been asked to predict the stateand nature of the field of play therapy 100 years from now. As I lookinto my crystal ball, I am picking up three possible scenarios . . . threeseparate paths play therapy could follow, depending on how life in theworld and efforts in the field progress over the next century anddepending on how play therapists work together to guide the course ofhistory. I will reveal all three visions of these potential futures to younow. I will call them the Techno-Future, the Fugitive Future, and theUtopian Future/ '

TECHNO-FUTURE"In the Techno-Future, technology has continued to burgeon-becoming so infused into daily life on the planet that is becomingimpossible to separate the biological entities from the technologicalcreations. Artificial intelligence has progressed so far that machines are

literally running the world."In this future, people have very little to do because machinesare much more competent than they are at many different tasks. Bothchildren and adults frequently avail themselves of therapy because ofthe very high levels of boredom and meaninglessness that pervadessociety. Therapy is offered as a free service by the government inpractically every country in the world as one of the benefits of being acitizen. Since therapy is the 'right' of every individual, there are nomanaged health care companies or insurance companiesthey areobsolete"Psychologists, social workers, counselors, and psychiatrists arealso obsoletethey fought with technology rather than working towarda synthesis with technology and they lost. Holographic therapists havereplaced flesh-and-blood therapists. The new breed of therapists caninstantly access data banks with encyclopedic information about everytheoretical approach and therapeutic technique. These holographictherapists also have instantaneous access to extensive information aboutpsychological disorders; the psychological ramifications of traumas,developmental problems, and life events that can affect individuals; andresearch about treatment efficacy. They can match the presentingproblem, underlying issues, and family dynamics to the best

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intervention available for that particular difficulty and adeptly (withoutmaking the kinds of mistakes in diagnosis and treatment applicationthat hum ans make) apply the treatm ent strategy for maxim um results."Here she looks up from her crystal ball, smiles at the seats where thedignitaries are seated and says, "Well, Dr. Schaefer, sounds like theultima te in eclectic presc riptive th erapy to me "She continues: "In this future, the field of play therapy isflourishing, even in the absence of any live play therapis ts. Play therapyhas finally been acknow ledged throu gho ut the wo rld as the treatment ofchoice for children. Younger children entering therapy can choose froma vast pictorial menu of potential play settings and play therapists.Older children can either use this option or describe for the holo-therapy unit the environment in which they would prefer to work andthe type of 'person' (both in terms of looks and personality) they wouldlike as their therapist. The specified place and person are then projectedin a holo-suite for them . They can change the setting a nd the therapist atwill, providing them with the ultimate in clients' right to influence thetherapy process. Although not exactly adhering to the general principleslaid dow n by Virginia Axline, this process is truly centered on the needsof the child."Madame Terrifique looks at the audience and frowns sadly."Unfortunately, no 'real' play therapists were involved in the evolutionof this system because they refused to participate in anything related tocomputers. They let their fear and loathing of technology stop themfrom guiding the development of this synthesis. Because of this, thesystem lacks a human element, which frequently causes problemsespecially w hen a child need s genuine und ers tan d, em pathy, an d caringthat can only come from a 'real,' (flawed and imperfect though we maybe) hum an being."Madame Terrifique stops to take a sip of water from a gobletthat suddenly appears on the table, slowly stroking the crystal ball andabsently smiling at the audience, which is sitting in stunned silence,reacting to her vision of their entire profession being replaced bymachines. As the shock begins to wear off and the auditorium starts tohum with a sullen response to her words, Madame Terrifique turnsagain to the crystal ball and intones, "A nd now the Fugitive F u tu re .. . . "

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FUGITIVE FUTURE"This vision of the future is dark . . . dark . . . dark . . . forpeople such as you an d I. In this future, the political mo vem ent towardthe right has gained so much momentum that fun and play have beenoutlawed. Over the past hundred years, those who believed in freedomand individuality have been apathetic and politically inactive, withoutputting their time, energy, passion, and resources into defending the

rights and privileges they had in the year 2000. Meanwhile, those whobelieved that they must control the actions, thoughts, and feelings ofeveryone in the world, that they must suppress freedom andindividuality, have worked passionately and diligently to take over thepolitical process. Democracy has faded, an d m ost countries in the worldare governed by despots who refuse to share power with anyone whosees the world differently than they see the world. Those in charge ofthe world are afraid of any behavior that they believe might encouragethe populace to be out-of-control. The ultimate goal of all citizens issupposed to be rigid adherence to all governmental rules and socialmores. Conformity is the desired societal norm, and any form ofindividuality is discouraged or punished. It is considered an extremesocial infraction to express feelings openly. Those who express aninterest in gaining insight into the dynamics of their own behavior orthe behavior of others are considered to be abhorrent and aberrant andare frequently shu nned by other mem bers of their comm unities.

"In this future/' Madame Terrifique continues, "anyone whoseeks psychological services is considered suspect. This type of help isdifficult to access. Long-term psychological intervention (defined asmore than eight sessions) is simply not allowed. The designated "gate-keepers" of psychological services (managed health care case managers)gleefully deny services that they believe might encourage clients to bem ore free or expressive.""As I look in the crystal ball, I see that play therapy is illegal,and anyone caught practicing play therapy or any other form ofcounseling that might encourage individuals to engage in playfulactivities is subject to fines and imprisonment. Play therapists mustconceal their professional identities or abandon their beliefs about theimportance of play in working with clients. Many play therapists have

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gone into hiding rather than giving u p usin g play an d fun as a modalityfor change. These individuals are fugitives from the Fun Police, who tryto track them down and stop them from sharing their expertise orproviding empathic understanding to children and adults alike. Theyhave established Underground Play Rooms, where they can use play asa way to understand and help others, but these establishments must bekept secret, with dire consequences if they are revealed. These fugitiveplay therapists curse the actions of their forebearers in the profession fornot being more politically astute and active, for believing that theprofession would simply naturally evolve in a positive way withouteffort and diligence on their part."After this reading, Madame Terrifique pauses briefly, herenergy seemingly depleted as a result of her grim vision. The audienceis again silent, this time in a subdued, almost depressed, manner. Thefact that this version of the future still has play therapists struggling tomake a difference in the world against irrational prejudices, managedhealth care case managers, and the Fun Police seems to havediscouraged them. They want to deny that they have been inactive andnaive about the political process, taking for granted that things will getbetter for their profession. However, most of them realize that this is anaccurate picture of what they are currently doing to combat theencroachment of the conservative political right, and they are feelingashamed and guilty.As the first shock wears off and the audience begins to talkam ong themselves,Madame Terrifique once more looks into the crystal ball andbegins to smile. She turns to the audience an d says, "I think yo u w ill likethis visionthe Uto pian Futurebetter pe rh ap s."

UTOPIAN FUTURE"In this future, civilization has followed a different paththe

road to harmony, peace, and interconnectedness. M any of the principlesespoused by the advocates of the so-called New Age of the 1980s and1990s have continued to flourish, and a truly new age has evolved. Thecitizens of the world who believe in freedom, personal responsibility,individuality, and expression of feelings have worked long and hard to

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make their vision of the world come true. The entire world follows ademocratic pattern of governance, with citizens in every countryactively participating in making decisions about how to allocateresources and solve problems. Individuality and expression of feelingsare encouraged. Freedom and fun are considered to be essential rightsfor all human beings. The interconnectedness of all life on earth isacknowledged and honored, resulting in a high level of socialconsciousness, social justice, and spiritual aw arenes s an d comm itment.Play therapy professionals and play therapy associations have beenactive participan ts in this process, w ork ing for the righ ts of children andacknowledgement of the importance of fun and play in the lives ofevery person on the planet."During the first 50 years of the 21 s t century, play therapyprofessionals have developed instruments that accurately measurechange occurring in their child clients and conducted empirical researchto demonstrate the efficacy of play therapy. In addition to thisdevelopment, play therapists have proven that play therapy (even forthose without any kind of problem situation in their lives) can increasethe quality of life for those who participate in it. In the second 50 yearsof the century, they have developed more creative and excitingintervention strategies, integrating ideas from other fields such astherapeutic recreation, leisure services, computer science, sociology,occupational therapy, and physiology. They have also perfectedmethods for working with people from all the different cultures of theworld and with an assortment of presenting problems. They have alsoabandoned their narrow definition of what play therapy isincludingmany different approaches to using play and fun therapeutically asbeing 'legitimate' forms of play therapy."In this vision of the future, play therapy is among the mostvalued professions throughout the planet. In their continued efforts togrow emotionally and cognitively, all citizens engage in various formsof play therapy, frequently to the exclusion of any other type ofpsychological intervention. Whether they are struggling withpsychopathology, normal developmental problems, or just want toparticipate for the purposes of increased self-understanding andpersonal enhancement, children can spend as mu ch time as they wish inplay therapy relationshipsboth in school and in their communities.

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Similarly, adolescents and adults are able to participate in moretraditional forms of play therapy if they wish. They will also haveunlimited access to activity therapy and adventure/challenge therapy,forms of play therapy that are designed for older individuals. The skillsand concepts inherent in play therapy will pervade civilization,encouraging the populace to incorporate the benefits of play and fun intheir lives."Since play therapy is such an integra l pa rt of life in this future,play therapy is a benefit provided for employees by their employers-just as retirement plans and health insurance are in the here-and-now.Those who are not employed by companies big enough to hire a playtherapist receive these services from a special branch of the governmentof each country created to provide play therapy services to its citizens.Play therapists receive high salaries and social status currently given tophysicians, attorneys, and business executives. Because everyone hasunlimited access to play therapy, mana ged health care program s relatedto psychological services for children and adults have been phased out,replaced by a organization dedicated to the advancement of playtherapy."Madame Terrifique stops to take another sip of water andsmiles warmly at the audience, wh ich burs ts into spontan eous applause,delighted with this vision of the future. Members of the audience beginto shout questions about how they can avoid the two grim visions of thefuture of the field of play therapythe Techno Future and the FugitiveFutureand move toward the optimistic vision of the Utopian Future.Madame Terrifique silences them with a sweep of her hands and says,"I only prognosticate the futuremy precognitions do not provideguidelines for prevention of gloomy possibilities. You must takeresponsibility for molding a future that is consistent with your valuesand beliefs about how the world and its people should evolve. Your jobis the planting of the seeds that will blossom and grow into the futureyou want/7

As she utters this final sentence, the spotlight illuminating herand the crystal ball abruptly disappears. And so does she . . . leavingher challenge for the play therapists in the audience and throughout theplanet.

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