Product Cover

Contemporary Play Therapy

Theory, Research, and Practice

Edited by Charles E. Schaefer and Heidi Gerard Kaduson

HardcoverPaperback
Hardcover
July 10, 2006
ISBN 9781593853044
Price: $87.00
338 Pages
Size: 6" x 9"
order
Paperback
October 18, 2007
ISBN 9781593856335
Price: $37.00
338 Pages
Size: 6" x 9"
order
bookProfessors: request an exam copy
See related items for this product

This highly practical book presents current developments in play therapy, including innovative applications for particular problems and populations. Contributors first discuss the latest ideas and techniques emerging from object relations, experiential, dynamic, and narrative perspectives. Next, research evaluating the effectiveness of play interventions is reviewed in detail. The book's third and largest section demonstrates creative approaches for helping children deal with a variety of adverse circumstances: homelessness, family problems, sexual abuse, social aggression, natural disasters, and more. Throughout, rich case illustrations enhance the book's utility for clinicians.

“A state-of-the-art overview of a highly challenging area of practice....4 Stars!”

Doody's Review Service


“Filling a void for today's play therapist, this volume covers theories, research, and applications that have not yet been addressed in depth in other texts. It includes a diverse range of practical, hands-on approaches for specific populations. The book is accessible enough for students, yet will also serve as a practical, unique reference for experienced professionals. I highly recommend this much-needed addition to the literature.”

—Athena A. Drewes, PsyD, RPT-S, The Astor Home for Children, Poughkeepsie, New York


“Schaefer and Kaduson bring together a wonderful collection of knowledgeable and thoughtful authors to inform, educate, and enlighten. Overviews of approaches and specific applications bring valuable, current information to the reader. Up-to-date reviews of research in the field are timely and helpful. This book is a valuable addition to the continually growing play therapy literature.”

—Linda Homeyer, PhD, Department of Educational Administration and Psychological Services, Texas State University-San Marcos


“A groundbreaking work in the field of play therapy. This book contains the most up-to-date literature by world-renowned researchers and master therapists. The book takes the reader to a more in-depth understanding and appreciation of what play therapy can do, and shows how to do it well. I highly recommend this volume to experienced play therapists as well as novices. It is an important addition to any play therapy library.”

—Cynthia Reynolds, PhD, RPT-S, Department of Counseling, University of Akron

Table of Contents

I. Theory

1. Object Relations Play Therapy: Applications to Attachment Problems and Relational Trauma, Helen E. Benedict

2. Experiential Play Therapy, Carol C. Norton and Byron E. Norton

3. Dynamic Play Therapy, Steve Harvey

4. Narrative Play Therapy, Ann Cattanach

II. Research

5. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Theraplay, Herbert H. G. Wettig, Ulrike Franke, and Bess Sirmon Fjordbak

6. Evidence-Based Play Therapy, Dee C. Ray

III. Applications

7. "I'm Rich": Play Therapy with Children Who Are Homeless, Jennifer Baggerly

8. Treatment of Sexually Abused Children, Mary Margaret Kelly and Hope C. Odenwalt

9. Play Therapy for Girls Displaying Social Aggression, Myra M. Lawrence, Kristin Condon, Kathryn S. Jacobi, and Emily Nicholson

10. Culturally Competent Play Therapy with the Mexican American Child and Family, Roberto Robles

11. CLAYtherapy: The Clinical Application of Clay with Children, Paul R. White

12. Time-Limited Play Therapy to Enhance Resiliency in Children, Debra May

13. Coping with Disaster: Psychosocial Interventions for Children in International Disaster Relief, Erika Felix, David Bond, and Janine Shelby


About the Editors

Charles E. Schaefer, PhD, RPT-S, until his death in 2020, was Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University. A pioneering play therapist, he was Cofounder and Director Emeritus of the Association for Play Therapy, which recognized him with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Schaefer published more than 100 research articles and over 70 professional books, including Prescriptive Play Therapy; Play-Based Interventions for Childhood Anxieties, Fears, and Phobias; and Essential Play Therapy Techniques.

Heidi Gerard Kaduson, PhD, RPT-S, specializes in evaluation and intervention services for children with a variety of behavioral, emotional, and learning problems. She is past president of the Association for Play Therapy and codirector of the Play Therapy Training Institute. She has lectured internationally on play therapy, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and learning disabilities. Dr. Kaduson's publications include The Playing Cure and 101 Favorite Play Therapy Techniques (Volumes I, II, and III). With Charles E. Schaefer, she is coeditor of Short-Term Play Therapy for Children, Second Edition. Dr. Kaduson maintains a private practice in child psychotherapy in Monroe Township, New Jersey.

Contributors

Jennifer Baggerly, PhD, LMHC-S, RPT-S, is Associate Professor in the Counselor Education Program at the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.

Helen E. Benedict, PhD, RPT-S, is Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Baylor University, Waco, Texas.

David Bond, LCSW, is a therapist at the Chadwick Center for Children and Families, Children's Hospital and Health Center, San Diego, California.

Ann Cattanach, PhD, MSc, RDth, is a child care consultant therapist in Scotland. She is also a Teaching Fellow at the University of York, United Kingdom.

Kristin Condon, PsyD, is Director of School Consultation Programming and Director of Training, Shared Vision, Inc., Oak Brook, Illinois.

Erika Felix, PhD, is a researcher at the Center for School-Based Youth Development, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California.

Bess Sirmon Fjordbak, MS, CCC-SLP, is in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.

Ulrike Franke, RPT-S, CTT-T, SLP, SLP-T, is Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education at the Educational College in Heidelberg, Germany, and in private practice in Oftersheim, Germany.

Steve Harvey, PhD, ADTR, RDT, RPT-S, is a consultant psychologist at the Taranaki District Health Board, New Plymouth, New Zealand.

Kathryn S. Jacobi, PsyD, is Chief Psychologist at the child development center of one of Israel's central region HMOs. She also has a private practice in Zichron Yaacov, Israel.

Mary Margaret Kelly, PhD, is Professor in the Department of Psychology at Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania.

Myra M. Lawrence, PsyD, is Professor at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Argosy University/Chicago, and CEO and Clinical Director of Shared Vision, Inc., Oak Brook, Illinois.

Debra May, LLAM, Dip SW, MA Play Therapy, is in private practice, Grimsby, United Kingdom.

Emily Nicholson, PsyD, is a postdoctoral fellow at Shared Vision, Inc., Oak Brook, Illinois.

Byron E. Norton, EdD, is a psychologist with Family Psychological Services in Greeley, Colorado.

Carol C. Norton, EdD, is a psychologist with Family Psychological Services in Greeley, Colorado.

Hope C. Odenwalt, MS, is an adjunct professor in the Department of Psychology at Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania. She provides crisis intervention services in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Dee C. Ray, PhD, LPC, NCC, RPT-S, is Assistant Professor and Director of the Child and Family Resource Clinic in the Counseling Program at the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas.

Roberto Robles, LCSW, works for Kaiser Permanente in Northern California, and is a child development instructor at the University of California at Davis Extension, Davis, California.

Janine Shelby, PhD, RPT-S, is Director of the Child Trauma Clinic at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.

Herbert H. G. Wettig, Dipl-Psych, is principal and senior researcher at the Theraplay Institute in Leonberg, Germany.

Paul R. White, LCSW, is in private practice in Rockford, Illinois.

Course Use

May serve as a supplemental text in graduate-level courses.