Cover Page

Handbook of Play Therapy

Second Edition

Kevin J. O’Connor, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S

Charles E. Schaefer, PhD, RPT-S

Lisa D. Braverman, PhD

 

Title Page

Copyright © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.

Published simultaneously in Canada.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Handbook of play therapy / [edited by] Kevin O’Connor, Charles Schaefer, Lisa D. Braverman. ‒ Second edition.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-118-85983-4 (cloth) – ISBN 978-1-118-859735 (epdf) – ISBN 978-1-118-85982-7 (epub)

1. Play therapy. I. O’Connor, Kevin J., editor. II. Schaefer, Charles E., editor. III. Braverman, Lisa D., editor.

RJ505.P6H36 2015

616.89’1653–dc23

2015013789

Cover design: Wiley

Cover image: ©Anelina/Shutterstock

With thanks to the children, families, students, and fellow professionals who have contributed to our understanding of the value of play and to the growth of the field of play therapy.

Preface

The Handbook of Play Therapy, published in 1983, has been considered the primary reference source for practitioners, teachers, and students involved in conducting and studying play therapy. The Handbook of Play Therapy, Volume Two: Advance and Innovations, published in 1994, considerably expanded on the first volume. After just over two decades, The Handbook of Play Therapy, Second Edition is a major revision of both of those landmark books. It includes comprehensive coverage of the theoretical, technical, methodological, and research advances in the steadily growing field of play therapy.

In order to match the standard created by the first two volumes, we did three things. First, we have once again invited leading authorities on the various aspects of play therapy to write original chapters presenting developments that have occurred in the field since 1994. Second, we have included material that is interdisciplinary in approach, eclectic in theory, and comprehensive in scope. And, last, we have attempted to reflect the growing trend toward the implementation of empirically supported treatments by including the emerging evidence in support of play-based interventions wherever and whenever possible.

The Handbook of Play Therapy, 2nd Edition, begins with an overview and history of the field of play therapy as well as a discussion of the general powers of play. In the second section, the major theoretical approaches to play therapy, including the psychoanalytic, client-centered, cognitive-behavioral, filial, Theraplay, ecosystemic, and prescriptive approaches are discussed. The third section includes chapters on core play therapy techniques. The fourth section covers the use of play therapy with special populations whose mental health needs are sometimes overlooked. The fifth section covers the use of play therapy in settings other than those where mental health services are traditionally provided, such as within medical, legal and educational settings. The seventh section includes chapters on contemporary issues in the field of play therapy, such as the provision of empirically supported treatments, ethics, limit-setting, and supervision. Finally, the last section includes chapters on the state of play therapy research and ideas for expanding the scientific support for this important therapeutic modality.

Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and counselors at all levels of training and experience will find the Handbook of Play Therapy, Second Edition, informative, thought provoking, and clinically useful.

About the Editors

Kevin J. O'Connor, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S, is a Clinical Psychologist. He is a Distinguished Professor, Coordinator of the Ecosystemic Clinical Child Psychology Emphasis, and Director of the Ecosystemic Play Therapy Training Center at Alliant International University, Fresno, California. He is cofounder and Director Emeritus of the Association for Play Therapy. He is the author of numerous books, including The Play Therapy Primer, Second Edition, and coauthor of Play Therapy Treatment Planning and Interventions, Second Edition, and co-editor of Play Therapy Theory and Practice, Second Edition. He regularly presents workshops across the United States and abroad, having presented in Canada, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Mexico, Portugal, Singapore, and South Africa. Finally, Dr. O'Connor is a Board Certified Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychologist and Fellow of the American Psychological Association who maintains a small private practice treating children and adults.

Charles E. Schaefer, PhD, RPT-S, is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. He is cofounder and Director Emeritus of the Association for Play Therapy. He is a frequent presenter at national and international play therapy conferences. Dr. Schaefer is the author/coauthor of more than 100 research articles and author/editor of over 60 professional books, including Foundations of Play Therapy, Second Edition; Short-Term Play Therapy, Third Edition; Play Therapy for Preschoolers; Play Diagnosis and Assessment; and The Therapeutic Powers of Play, Second Edition. He maintains a private practice for children in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Lisa D. Braverman, PhD, is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the areas of pediatric oncology, child abuse, and trauma. She treats children and their families, and is also a Guardian ad Litem for ProKids in Cincinnati, Ohio. She co-edited the first and second editions of Play Therapy Theory and Practice.

Contributors

  1. Jennifer N. Baggerly, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S
  2. University of North Texas at Dallas
  3. Dallas, Texas
  4. Kristin S. Bemis, MEd, LPC, RPT
  5. Therapy Dallas
  6. Dallas, Texas
  7. Helen E. Benedict, PhD, RPT-S
  8. Baylor University
  9. Waco, Texas
  10. Phyllis B. Booth, MA, LCPC, LMFT, RPT-S
  11. The Theraplay Institute
  12. Evanston, Illinois
  13. Sue C. Bratton, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S
  14. University of North Texas
  15. Denton, Texas
  16. Julia Gentleman Byers, EdD, ATR-BC, LMHC
  17. Lesley University
  18. Cambridge, Massachusetts
  19. Karla D. Carmichael, PhD, LPC, NCC, RPT-S
  20. Capella University
  21. Minneapolis, Minnesota
  22. Athena A. Drewes, PsyD, RPT-S
  23. Astor Services for Children and Families
  24. Washingtonville, New York
  25. Ruth Ellingsen, MA, C Phil
  26. University of California at Los Angeles
  27. Los Angeles, California
  28. Eliana Gil, PhD, LMFT, ATR, RPT-S
  29. Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery and Education
  30. Fairfax, Virginia
  31. Geri Glover, PhD, RPT-S
  32. New Mexico Highlands University
  33. Las Vegas, New Mexico
  34. Allan M. Gonsher, LCSW, RPT-S
  35. Kids-Incorporated
  36. Overland Park, Kansas, and Omaha, Nebraska
  37. Steve Harvey, PhD, BC-DMY, RPT-S
  38. Infant, Child, and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Taranaki District Health Board
  39. New Plymouth, New Zealand
  40. Esther B. Hess, PhD, RPT-S
  41. Center for the Developing Mind
  42. Los Angeles, California
  43. Linda E. Homeyer, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S
  44. Texas State University
  45. San Marcos, Texas
  46. Edward F. Hudspeth, PhD, NCC, LPC, RPh, ACS, RPT-S
  47. Henderson State University
  48. Arkadelphia, Arizona
  49. Kevin B. Hull, PhD, LMHC
  50. Hull and Associates, PA
  51. Lakeland, Florida
  52. Jane L. Johnson, LCSW, RPT-S
  53. The Play Therapist's Workshop
  54. Fort Collins, Colorado
  55. Heidi Gerard Kaduson, PhD, RPT-S
  56. The Play Therapy Training Institute, Inc.
  57. Monroe Township, New Jersey
  58. Jessica Kichler, PhD
  59. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
  60. Cincinnati, Ohio
  61. Susan M. Knell, PhD
  62. Case Western Reserve University
  63. Cleveland, Ohio
  64. Garry L. Landreth, EdD, RPT-S
  65. University of North Texas
  66. Denton, Texas
  67. Kimberly M. Matthews, MEd, NCC
  68. The University of Mississippi
  69. University Mississippi
  70. Cheryl McNeil, PhD
  71. West Virginia University
  72. Morgantown, West Virginia
  73. Jodi Ann Mullen, PhD, LMHC, RPT-S
  74. State University of New York
  75. Oswego, New York
  76. Charles Edwin Myers, PhD, LCC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S
  77. Northern Illinois University
  78. DeKalb, Illinois
  79. Laura Nabors, PhD
  80. University of Cincinnati
  81. Cincinnati, Ohio
  82. Meredith Norman, MS
  83. West Virginia University
  84. Morgantown, West Virginia
  85. Kevin J. O'Connor, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S
  86. California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University
  87. Fresno, California
  88. Sarah C. Patton, PsyD
  89. North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System
  90. Gainesville, Florida
  91. Pat Pernicano, PsyD
  92. Spalding University
  93. Louisville, Kentucky
  94. Personal Counseling Service, Inc.
  95. Clarksville, Indiana
  96. Kristi L. Perryman, PhD, LPC, RPT-S
  97. University of Arkansas
  98. Fayetteville, Arkansas
  99. Lexie Pfeifer, PhD, LMFT
  100. House of Hope
  101. Salt Lake City, Utah
  102. Audrey F. Punnett, PhD, JA, CST-T, RPT-S
  103. Private Practice
  104. Fresno, California
  105. Lauren Borduin Quetsch, MS
  106. West Virginia University
  107. Morgantown, West Virginia
  108. Dee C. Ray, PhD, RPT-S
  109. University of North Texas
  110. Denton, Texas
  111. Cynthia A. Reynolds, PhD, LPCC-S, CSC, RPT-S
  112. University of Akron
  113. Akron, Ohio
  114. Charles E. Schaefer, PhD, RPT-S
  115. Farleigh Dickinson University
  116. Teaneck, New Jersey
  117. John W. Seymour, PhD, LMFT, RPT-S
  118. Minnesota State University
  119. Mankato, Minnesota
  120. Janine Shelby, PhD, RPT-S
  121. David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles
  122. Los Angeles, California
  123. Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
  124. Torrance, California
  125. Jessica Stone, PhD, RPT-S
  126. Private Practice
  127. Fruita, Colorado
  128. Hayley L. Stulmaker, PhD, LPC, NCC, RPT
  129. Sam Houston State University
  130. Huntsville, Texas
  131. Daniel S. Sweeney, PhD, LMFT, LPC, RPT-S
  132. George Fox University
  133. Portland, Oregon
  134. Glade L. Topham, PhD, LMFT
  135. Oklahoma State University
  136. Stillwater, Oklahoma
  137. Ria Travers, MS
  138. West Virginia University
  139. Morgantown, West Virginia
  140. Risë VanFleet, PhD, CDBC, RPT-S
  141. Family Enhancement and Play Therapy Center and its Playful Pooch Program
  142. International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy
  143. Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania
  144. Nancy Wallace, MS
  145. West Virginia University
  146. Morgantown, West Virginia
  147. Marlo L. R. Winstead, MSW, LCSW, LSCSW, RPT-S, Theraplay® Trainer and Supervisor
  148. Enriching Families, LLC
  149. Tallahassee, Florida
  150. University of Kansas
  151. Lawrence, Kansas

Part 1

Introduction