"Summary This innovative book goes beyond traditional play therapy to present a range of evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches that incorporate play as a key element. It is grounded in the latest knowledge about the importance of play in child development. Leading experts describe effective strategies for addressing a wide variety of clinical concerns, including behavioral difficulties, anxiety, parent-child relationship issues, trauma, and autism. The empirical support for each approach is summarized and clinical techniques are illustrated. The book also discusses school-based prevention programs that utilize play to support children's learning and socioemotional functioning. Subject Areas/Key Words: Assessments, behavioral, children, developmental psychology, early childhood, emotional, interventions, play therapy, prevention, problems, psychological disorders, psychotherapy, treatments Audience: Child psychologists, play and art therapists, social workers, counselors, family therapists, psychiatrists, and school psychologists; early childhood professionals; developmental psychologists"--
Provided by publisher.
Play is a natural mode of communication and interaction for children, and a key tool for child clinicians. What are the most effective ways to integrate play into assessment and intervention? How does play contribute to the treatment of particular problems? And what aspects of play actually help bring about therapeutic change? This innovative volume assembles leading experts on child development and child therapy to present the latest knowledge and clinical practices in this area. Exemplary approaches to working with children and their families are illustrated with rich case material.
The volume begins by exploring the role of play in children's cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal development. Chapters on clinical assessment cover empirically supported ways to evaluate pretend play and parent-child play in order to gain a better sense of the areas in which children are struggling, and to plan effective treatment. The book then describes how a variety of therapeutic models---including cognitive-behavioral therapies---incorporate play to promote healthy development and teach children needed skills. Approaches are demonstrated for treating such diverse clinical concerns as disruptive behavior, anxiety disorders, maltreatment and trauma, and autism spectrum disorders. The book also discusses school-based prevention programs that utilize play to support learning and socioemotional functioning.
Going beyond traditional play therapy, this authoritative book belongs on the desks of child psychologists, play and art therapists, social workers, counselors, family therapists, psychiatrists, and school psychologists, and will also be of interest to early childhood professionals and developmental psychologists. It may serve as a text in graduate-level courses.
This innovative book goes beyond traditional play therapy to present a range of evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches that incorporate play as a key element. It is grounded in the latest knowledge about the importance of play in child development. Leading experts describe effective strategies for addressing a wide variety of clinical concerns, including behavioral difficulties, anxiety, parent–child relationship issues, trauma, and autism. The empirical support for each approach is summarized and clinical techniques are illustrated. The book also discusses school-based prevention programs that utilize play to support children's learning and social-emotional functioning.
