| Abstract: | Rough and tumble play’s function and purpose in the relational group are explored. This mode of communication involves mild roughhousing in its childhood form and verbal sparring and mild teasing in adults. Multiple uses in group therapy for this type of play exist. Although group leaders have used this mode of communication for the past 50 years, it has yet to be fully recognized and conceptualized as such. The developmental benefits of rough and tumble play come to life through case examples as they occur in different levels of group: member to leader, leader to member, and member to member. |
