The Therapeutic Powers of Play: Comparing Theories and Practice

There is no current, up-to-date single text that offers beginners and seasoned clinicians a clear direction in how to conceptualize and interweave the therapeutic powers of play through the lens of a specific seminal theory using a single case study uniformly across chapters. This book looks to fill the gap by offering an up-to-date edition for use by university professors of child and play therapists, training directors, agency and clinic supervisors, as well as private practice supervisors and supervisees wishing to obtain a clear and deeper understanding of the therapeutic powers of play and its relationship to seminal theories. It is a much-needed book that synthesizes the Therapeutic Powers of Play and Play Therapy theories on a level not seen before. This edited book will be a combination of chapters written by the co-editors and invited chapter authors who are renowned in the field of play therapy. Each chapter author will be given one specific case study, for uniformity across all chapters, for comparison. The chapter author will address in detail how their specific theoretical approach would view and integrate the therapeutic powers of play within treatment. This edition is unique in its inclusion of timely chapters addressing the foundations and the seminal theoretical approaches used in play therapy and the nuts and bolts of integration of the therapeutic powers of play for a treatment approach. Readers will have the opportunity to compare across the seminal theories the commonalities and differences of conceptualization and practice implementation.

Table of Contents:
List of Contributors (Biographic Information) About the Editors Dedication In Memorium Foreword - Judi Parson Preface – Athena Drewes & Edward Franc Hudspeth Part I: Understanding the Therapeutic Powers of Play 1. What Is a Therapeutic Power of Play – Athena Drewes 2. The Therapeutic Powers of Play: Overview – Julie Nash 3. Developing a Theoretical Orientation and Play Therapy Identity – Bridgette Mitchell Sanders 4. The Neuroscience of Theories, Play, and Therapeutic Powers of Play – Edward Franc Hudspeth and Karli Zaban 5. Bringing the Therapeutic Powers of Play into Focus: Using the Play Therapy Dimensions Model – Lori Yasenik and Ken Gardner 6. Cases: Conceptualization from a Theoretical and Therapeutic Powers of Play Lens – Mary Anne Peabody 7. Research and empirical support – Dennis Yung Wei Lin and Anqi Yu 8. Play Therapy Supervision in Flux: Navigating Supervisee Change and Growth through the Transtheoretical Model of Clinical Supervision – Staci Born Part II: Comparing Theoretical Approaches through the Lens of the Therapeutic Powers of Play 1. Psychoanalytic Play Therapy: The Power of the Creative Force to Unlock the Unconscious– Dana Wyss and Athena Drewes 2. Child-Centered Play Therapy – Kristi Perryman 3. Gestalt Play Therapy: Embodied Play – Renee Turner Attachment, Theraplay, and the Therapeutic Powers of Play – Gloria Cockerill Jungian Analytical Play Therapy– J.P. Lilly and Rachel McRoberts Using the Therapeutic Powers of Play in Adlerian Play Therapy – Terry Kottman and Sherri Cauthen Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy– Lisa Remey 8. Solution-Focused Play Therapy: Using Therapeutic Powers of Play to Help Children Succeed - Elizabeth Kjellstrand Hartwick Part III: Integrative Approaches and Applications 1. Prescriptive Play Therapy – Athena Drewes 2. AutPlay Therapy: Play Therapy Through a Neurodiversity Affirming Lens – Robert Jason Grant and Sarah Moran 3. FirstPlay – Janet Courtney 4. TraumaPlay -Paris Goodyear- Brown 5. The Therapeutic Powers of Play in Digital Play TherapyTM – Jessica Stone6. EMDR and Play Therapy Integration – Anne Beckley-Forest and Annie Monaco 7. Attachment Centered Play Therapy – Clair Mellenthin Part IV: Closing Thoughts: Practical Use of the Text – Edward Franc Hudspeth Index

About the Author :
Dr. Athena A. Drewes is a licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist and Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor. Formerly Director of Training and Director of the American Psychological Association Doctoral Psychology Internship at Astor Services for Children and Families in New York. She currently is semi-retired and lives in Ocala, FL. She has over 45 years of clinical and supervision experience with complex trauma, sexual abuse, foster care children and adolescents, in school, outpatient and inpatient settings. She is former Board of Director of the Association for Play Therapy and Founder and President Emeritus of the NY Association for Play Therapy. She is a frequently invited guest lecturer around the United States and internationally around the world, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, England, Ireland, Italy, Mexico and Taiwan. She has is renowned writer on play therapy and has published numerous book chapters, journal articles and edited/co-edited twelve play therapy