Empirically Based Play Interventions for Children

Play is a universal form of communication for children that promotes healthy cognitive, language, physical, and social development. Incorporating play into child therapy can therefore help children who are having difficulties in one or more of these developmental areas. For over 7 years, play therapy has been recognized as an effective method for targeting specific behaviors and competencies to help children communicate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and to refine their current skills and learn new ones. This book is a comprehensive reference for clinicians and researchers that provides well-established, theoretically based, and flexible interventions—both directive and nondirective—to meet the growing and diverse needs of today's children and families. This updated edition presents new research on play therapy treatment models and agents that have shown significant promise in treating a variety of child disorders—including autism. Authors also consider implementation issues arising from new mental health policies and initiatives, including integrated health care systems and the Affordable Care Act. Each chapter is carefully organized to include the theoretical basis and objectives of various innovative play interventions, key treatment ingredients and processes, and recommendations for replication and transportability to other settings. Detailed vignettes illustrate how these interventions can be used in clinical practice.

Table of Contents:
Contributors Introduction Linda A. Reddy, Tara M. Files-Hall, and Charles E. Schaefer I. Empirically Based Play Prevention Interventions Primary Project: A Play-Based Intervention for Early Childhood Deborah B. Johnson and Mary Anne Peabody Extending the Global Reach of a Play-Based Intervention for Children Dealing With Separation and Divorce JoAnne Pedro-Carroll and Mariska Klein Velderman Child-Centered Play Therapy for School Prevention Dee C. Ray and Sue C. Bratton II. Empirically Based Play Interventions for Internalizing Disorders Cognitive amp ndash Behavioral Play Therapy for Anxiety and Depression Susan M. Knell and Meena Dasari Using Integrated Directive and Nondirective Play Interventions for Abused and Traumatized Children Eliana M. Gil Play Interventions for Hospitalized Children William A. Rae, Jeremy R. Sullivan, and Martha A. Askins III. Empirically Based Play Interventions for Externalizing Disorders The Incredible Years: Use of Play Interventions and Coaching for Children With Externalizing Difficulties Carolyn Webster-Stratton Parent amp ndash Child Interaction Therapy for Children With Disruptive Behavior Disorders Ashley T. Scudder, Amy D. Herschell, and Cheryl B. McNeil Child ADHD Multimodal Program: Use of Cognitive amp ndash Behavioral Group Play Interventions Linda A. Reddy IV. Empirically Based Play Interventions for Developmental Disorders and Other Models The Early Start Denver Model: A Play-Based Intervention for Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Katherine S. Davlantis and Sally J. Rogers Integrated Play Groups Model: Supporting Children With Autism in Essential Play Experiences With Typical Peers Pamela Wolfberg Child Parent Relationship Therapy: Theory, Research, and Intervention Process Natalya A. Lindo, Sue C. Bratton, and Garry L. Landreth V. Final Comments Future Directions for Empirically Supported Play Interventions Sue C. Bratton and Dee C. Ray Index About the Editors

About the Author :
Linda A. Reddy, PhD, is a professor of school psychology at Rutgers University. She received her doctorate in school psychology from University of Arizona. Dr. Reddy has published more than 7 manuscripts or book chapterson attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), group play interventions, school interventions, and testing. She is a fellow of APA and 2 4 president of APA Division (School Psychology). Dr. Reddy is the author of Group Play Interventions for Children: Strategies for Teaching Prosocial Skills (2 2), lead editor of Neuropsychological Assessment and Intervention for Emotional and Behavior Disordered Youth: An Integrated Step-by-Step Evidence-Based Approach (2 3), and lead author of the Classroom Strategies Scales. She is the recipient of research and service awards, and has received more than $43 million in funding for her work. A licensed psychologist in New Jersey, Dr. Reddy has extensive clinical experience working with children with emotional, behavioral, and neurocognitive difficulties, and with families and schools. Tara M. Files-Hall, PhD, is a licensed clinical child psychologist, certified school psychologist, and registered play therapist in Florida. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Dr. Files-Hall has extensive clinical experience evaluating and treating children and adolescents, and consulting with parents, teachers, and school systems and has advanced training in play therapy through the Association for Play Therapy, Inc. She has numerous publications and professional presentations on the efficacy of play-based interventions and behavioral treatments for children with emotional and behavioral issues, including ADHD. Dr. Files-Hall maintains her private practice at Family C.O.P.E. (Center of Psychotherapy/Psychiatry and Evaluation) in Sarasota, Florida, where she conducts individual, play, and family therapy conducts psychological evaluations and provides school-based consultation to elementary, middle, and high schools. Charles E. Schaefer, PhD, is an emeritus professor of psychology and former director of the Center for Psychological Services at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is the cofounder and board member emeritus of the International Association for Play Therapy, and is the founder of the Play Therapy Training Institute in New Jersey. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Fordham University. With more than 4 years of experience working with children and parents, Dr. Schaefer has received numerous awards for his clinical and research work on child development, parenting, and play therapy has published more than books and numerous articles and book chapters on play-based interventions and serves on several journal editorial review boards. He was the former director of psychology at The Children's Village in Dobbs Ferry, New York. He maintains a private practice for children and their families in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Review :
amp ldquo I recommend this must-read book for any child therapist regardless of theoretical orientation. It is filled with advice and direction, integrated thinking, and an orientation that embraces the common ground among seemingly disparate disciplines. amp rdquo -New England Psychologist