Mindfulness-Based Play Therapy is a transtheoretical and neurobiologically informed guide rooted in the belief that the therapeutic alliance is essential to play therapy’s effectiveness.
In these pages, clinicians will find the tools they need to help children and families use mindfulness to increase attentional focus and enhance sensory processing, emotion regulation, and reflective awareness. Clinicians will also find a variety of non-directive and directive play-based therapeutic experiences to use in sessions as well as a set of evidence-based practices that supports children with anxiety disorders, trauma, and neurodivergence.
Table of Contents:
1. The Origins and True Meaning of Mindfulness 2. Mindfulness for Therapists: Enhancing Therapist Well-Being and Therapeutic Effectiveness Through Personal Practice 3. The Neurobiology of Mindfulness and Play in Child Development 4. The Role of Mindfulness in Enhancing Therapeutic Alliance 5. Mindfulness in Adlerian Play Therapy 6. Child-Centered Play Therapy 7. Mindfulness in Cognitive-Behavioural Play Therapy 8. Mindfulness in Ecosystemic Play Therapy 9. Mindfulness in Gestalt Play Therapy 10. Mindfulness in Jungian Play Therapy 11. Psychodynamic and Object Relations Play Therapy 12. Developmental and Attachment-based Play Therapy 13. Mindfulness-based Prescriptive Play Therapy 14. Mindfulness in Working with Children, Parents, and Families 15. Mindfulness-based Sensory Exploration in the Playroom 16. Mindfulness-based Games and Activites to Enhance Breath and Body Awareness 17. Mindful Consideration of Culture and Neurodivergence in Play Therapy 18. Mindful Assessment, Planning, and Documentation in Play Therapy 19. Mindful Goodbyes: Closure of the Play Therapy Process and Relationship 20. The Transformative Power of Mindfulness in Play Therapy
About the Author :
Lynn Louise Wonders is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), certified professional counselor (CPCS), registered play therapist-supervisor (RPT-S), and a doctoral student at Saybrook University, conducting research about mindfulness and mental health. She has provided child and family therapy services since 2002 and clinical supervision, consultation, and training since 2010.
Review :
"Lynn Louise Wonders examines how integrating mindful practices in play therapy nurtures and enhances profoundly deep and meaningful connections with children and families. This book underscores the importance of weaving mindfuless into both professional and personal practices to help play therapists attain genuine alignment and attunement. Through practical strategies and a focus on cultural sensitivity and individualized care, this text highlights the transformative impact of focused awareness in fostering therapeutic growth for children."
Rachel A. Altvater, PsyD, RPT-S, owner and psychologist, Creative Psychological Health Services
"Whether you are a seasoned therapist or new to the field, you wil appreciate the masterful savviness that Lynn Louise Wonders shows in weaving psychological theory, scientific research, and clincial wisdom. She passionately integreates the transformative power of mindfulness with the magic of play therapy as she demonstrates how to facilitate healing with therapeutic presence and attunement. This book is a valuable therapeutic resource and an absolute must for every clinician's library!"
Joelle Harrison, LPCC, NCC, RPT, author and board-certified clinical counselor
"If you want to integreate mindfulness interventions into your play and child therapy practice, then this is the book for you! Supported by the foundations of neuroscience and play therapy theory, Lynn Wonders provides practical mindfulness skills to immediately transfer into clinical practice. A must-have resource."
Janet A. Courtney, PhD, RPT-S, founder of FirstPlay® Therapy
