Play Therapy in Action: A Casebook for Practitioners

This book brings together in a single volume concrete applications of play therapy by seasoned clinicians from various theoretical perspectives. The goal is to reflect the broad spectrum of approaches that now exist in the field. The major psychopathologies in children present the therapist with different problems and therefore require different approaches. Another guiding belief underlying this volume is that descriptive studies that carefully detail psychotherapy process are among the most useful and practical resources for both students and practicing therapists. This casebook offers step-by-step treatment guidelines for a number of childhood difficulties, including internalizing, externalizing, and post-traumatic disorders. It should be of interest to both students and more advanced practitioners in a variety of mental health disciplines, including social work; psychiatry; clinical, counseling, and school psychology; expressive arts therapy; child-life therapy; and psychiatric nursing. A Jason Aronson Book

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Audrey, the Bois d'Arc and Me: A Time of Becoming Chapter 3 Family Theraplay for the Family Tyrant Chapter 4 Gentleman Jim and His Private War: Imagery Interaction Play Therapy Chapter 5 The King of Rock and Roll: An Application of Adlerian Play Therapy Chapter 6 To Show and Not Tell: Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy Chapter 7 "Born on My Bum": Jungian Play Therapy Chapter 8 Child, Protector, Confidant: Structured Group Ecosystemic Play Therapy Chapter 9 From Meek to Bold: A Case Study of Gestalt Play Therapy Chapter 10 Where in the World is . . . My Father? A Time-Limited Play Therapy Chapter 11 Internal and External Wars: Psychodynamic Play Therapy Chapter 12 Ann: Dynamic Play Therapy with Ritual Abuse Chapter 13 Oh, But a Heart, Courage, and a Brain: An Integrative Approach to Play Therapy Chapter 14 As the Child Plays, So Grows the Family Tree: Family Play Therapy Chapter 15 "Please Hurt Me Again": Posttraumatic Play Therapy with an Abused Child Chapter 16 It's All in the Game: Game Play Therapy Chapter 17 Two by Two: A Filial Therapy Case Study Chapter 18 I Brought My Own Toys Today: Play Therapy with Adults

About the Author :
Terry Kottman, Ph.D., L.P.C., N.C.C., has worked extensively with children and their families in the process of developing Adlerian play therapy and has written numerous articles on the subject. She has given workshops throughout the country. She is a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor and she is the president of the Education Section of the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology.

Review :
Play Therapy in Action is a wonderful resource for the person new to play therapy or for a person wishing to review. It contains a wealth of information in presenting succinct perspectives on various theories of play therapy. These theories then transfer from the abstract into the functional realm of practice so that the reader can move from the cognitive understanding to the experimental. Practitioners will recognize some of their own experiences in the cases presented and be exposed to nee possibilities for treatment. It is rare to find a single volume where such an abundance of information is presented so concisely... All of the authors of this book conduct play therapy that is much more therapy than merely play. More importantly, they expose themselves in detail and provide their readers with direct insight into the psychotherapeutic process. Verbatim interchanges are found throughout the book with associated commentary that explains specifically what the therapist has done and the rationale for the particular maneuver and/or response. A broad range of therapeutic approaches is to be found here, a range that covers the whole gamut of psychotherapeutic approaches being utilized at this time. Kottman and Schaefer are to be congratulated for their important contribution to the child psychotherapy literature. Play Therapy in Action is a wonderful resource for the person new to play therapy or for a person wishing to review. It contains a wealth of information in presenting succinct perspectives on various theories of play therapy. These theories then transfer from the abstract into the functional realm of practice so that the reader can move from the cognitive understanding to the experimental. Practitioners will recognize some of their own experiences in the cases presented and be exposed to nee possibilities for treatment. It is rare to find a single volume where such an abundance of information is presented so concisely.