Play in Clinical Practice

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. This book will be important reading for child psychologists, play and art therapists, social workers, counselors, family therapists, psychiatrists, and school psychologists; early childhood professionals; developmental psychologists. It may also serve as a supplemental text in graduate-level courses. "Play research and play therapy have much to learn from one another. This book opens up an important conversation between the two fields, reviewing a variety of clinical approaches and techniques that incorporate a play component. Fostering collaboration among researchers and clinicians is sure to help all of us better serve children and their families. The book will make a good supplemental text for courses in child development or play therapy." - Linda E. Homeyer, Professional Counseling Program, Texas State University-San Marcos, USA "Bravo! This book offers a balanced discussion of the value of play. Weaving together chapters on play and learning, assessment, and play-based intervention, it is a timely 'go-to' resource for researchers and clinicians alike." - Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Lefkowitz Professor of Psychology, Temple University, USA