Child-Centered Play Therapy

About the Book

Highly practical, instructive, and authoritative, this book vividly describes how to conduct child-centered play therapy. The authors are master clinicians who explain core therapeutic principles and techniques, using rich case material to illustrate treatment of a wide range of difficulties. The focus is on nondirective interventions that allow children to freely express their feelings and take the lead in solving their own problems. Flexible yet systematic guidelines are provided for setting up a playroom; structuring sessions; understanding and responding empathically to children's play themes, including how to handle challenging behaviors; and collaborating effectively with parents.

Table of Contents:

Preface I. Background and Relevance 1. The Importance of Play 2. A Brief Overview of Play Therapy 3. History, Theory, Principles, and Variations of Child-Centered Play Therapy II. Logistics and Techniques 4. Playroom Set-Up and Logistics 5. The Four Skills of Child-Centered Play Therapy 6. Recognition and Interpretation of Play Themes III. Parent Involvement 7. Engaging Parents and Teachers in Child-Centered Play Therapy 8. Filial Therapy IV. Practical Applications and Issues 9. Child-Centered Play Therapy with Different Presenting Problems 10. Handling Select Child Behaviors and Special Circumstances 11. Touch in Child-Centered Play Therapy 12. Cultural and Systemic Considerations in the Practice of Child-Centered Play Therapy V. Research and Professional Issues 13. Research on Child-Centered Play Therapy and Filial Therapy 14. Developing Competence in Child-Centered Play Therapy Conclusion

About the Author :
Rise VanFleet, PhD, Family Enhancement and Play Therapy Center, Boiling Springs, PA, USA, Andrea E. Sywulak, PhD, private practice, Southampton, PA, USA, and Cynthia Caparosa Sniscak, LPC, private practice, Carlisle, PA, USA

Review :
"This is one of those rare books that combine rich theoretical and contextual frameworks with clear and relevant practice examples. At a time when the term 'child-centered play therapy' is often loosely applied or misunderstood, this book could not be more timely. The authors take CCPT back to its fundamental principles, speaking with an authoritative but also warmly empathic voice. Chapters are illustrated with helpful case material and specific suggestions for therapeutic 'dos and don'ts.' The book will be invaluable as a refresher for experienced play therapists or as a starting point for students and others just getting acquainted with the principles of nondirective play. It should be required reading in any introductory play therapy or child psychotherapy course." - Geraldine Thomas, Filial/Play Therapist and Instructor, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, London, UK "VanFleet, Sywulak, and Sniscak bring with them perspectives developed over many years of experience in working with children and families with complex needs...The authors speak collectively with an authoritative but also warmly empathic voice...Child-Centered Play Therapy provides a rich and valuable addition to the existing literature on non-directive play and will be a much welcomed book in that it combines rich theoretical and contextual frameworks along with clear and relevant practice examples to address a wide range of difficulties and in a variety of settings. In these days when the notion of child-centred practice has become a loosely applied and often misunderstood term the strength of this book lies in its synthesis of clear practice principles, well illustrated case material, and specific suggestions for dos and donts in child-centred therapy. For professionals who need to remind themselves of fundamental tenets on which their practice is based and want to remain well grounded in delivering evidence-based therapy, this book will be handy as a refresher for their skills...It should be required reading, alongside other acknowledged texts, in any introductory play therapy and child psychotherapy course." - Geraldine Thomas, British Journal of Play Therapy, Vol. 6, Winter 2010 "This book provides excellent explanations of the critical skills that therapists need to practice CCPT. It presents a well-conceptualized discussion of common themes that children present in play therapy, and strategies for understanding and utilizing these in the treatment process. It also offers an excellent discussion of the application of CCPT to a variety of common problems, as well as how to handle difficult behaviors in session. Both graduate students and seasoned play therapists will find this book significantly expands the way they think about one of the most widely practiced forms of play therapy." - Kevin O'Connor, Distinguished Professor, California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, USA