I don't know. I think there can be all sorts of reasons for regression, even for play, that aren't necessarily negative or meant to hold a patient back. For example, I believe that folks who aren't all that in touch with who they used to be, or can't really even remember anything much about a traumatic childhood could probably benefit from anything that helps them feel those feelings again. And don't we generally need to feel those feelings again to grieve them and move on? (I realize that some modes of treatment explicitly don't address past feelings, but rather focus on current outcomes and behavior modification/coping strategies/etc. I'm not talking about those particular types.)

Do I think it would be good for me to sit down and play with a doll every week and for my T to be my "new mom" or something? No...I DO think that would be encouraging me not to grieve and grow. But can it be useful in a limited way, as in the above example? Could it even be the catalyst for grieving? I'd really think so.