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“This should be a required book in any graduate-level program where there are offered courses on child and adolescent counseling/therapy. Gil, a world-renowned play therapist and author of a number of books that are required readings in the play therapy field, and her colleague, Drewes, another reputable play therapist, meet and exceed the needs of their intended audience with this work….This book is a gem that should be read by any mental health practitioner working with children, whether through play therapy or not….There is richness and variety in the cases presented in their real-life context, with narratives about living with stressors imposed by dynamics of societal power and privilege, along with tips for how to address them in play therapy with cultural humility, sensitivity, and self-reflection. The second edition has significant updates in structure and content. This book is not only an updated version, but can be considered a new book, with more than 90% of new content contextualized to the challenges of the current era, including teletherapy and video games as normative play.”

—Doody's Review Service


“This book is full of valuable information, offering many useful ideas about the increasingly diverse child populations who come, or are sent to, American mental health services....There is much to be learned about cultural differences in play and play therapy from this information-rich volume. It will also be useful to professionals of many disciplines teaching child development in an increasingly multicultural world.”

—Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal (on the first edition)


“This book provides an informative, helpful 'wake-up call' for play therapists to be culturally competent, not just culturally sensitive....The editors and contributing authors present literature reviews, play therapy strategies, case illustrations, and a sensitive portrayal of various different cultures and applicable approaches....This book is a great resource for multicultural competent play therapy strategies, and a sensitive exploration of the role of cultural similarities and differences in play therapy.”

—Journal of Child and Family Studies (on the first edition)


“This book is a wonderful addition to the library for anyone who works with children, whether in play therapy or not….The discerning descriptions of parent-child interactions paint pictures that can guide practitioners away from ethnocentric thinking and towards understanding the variables attendant on the child's background and worldview.”

—Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work (on the first edition)


“As a Black clinician, I appreciate the depth with which racial injustice and White privilege are addressed in this book. Readers will benefit from the transparency around challenges with race and culture in the play therapy room and the need to provide culturally responsive treatment. The authors are reflective and consider how racial, ethnic, and other disparities affect mental health practice with oppressed and marginalized communities. I felt inspired by the case examples and vignettes to continue examining my own beliefs, values, and biases to prevent them from showing up with the clients I serve.”

—Althea T. Simpson, MBA, LCSW, RPT-S, Black Play Therapy Society, Woodbridge, Virginia


“Gil and Drewes have created a strikingly different second edition that positions cultural sensitivity as one of the most salient issues of our time. What differentiates this edition is a deeper dive into the interacting psychosocial stressors that affect various subcultures. For play therapy educators, the book provides a platform to guide students through relevant yet often difficult content, with a focus on clinical principles, reflection, awareness, and self-evaluation. The volume is rich in poignant case examples. I recommend this second edition as required reading in graduate-level play therapy and child/family psychotherapy courses. Be prepared for growth!”

—Mary Anne Peabody, EdD, LCSW, RPT-S, Social and Behavioral Sciences Program, University of Southern Maine


“Gil and Drewes offer a timely update to their original edition, taking into account such momentous changes as the current racial justice movement and the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors offer personal testimonies, case studies, and practical play interventions that readers can immediately apply to their work with children from marginalized communities. This book should be on the shelves of both emerging and seasoned play therapists, and can be useful for courses on child welfare, diagnosis and assessment, and cultural diversity. Readers are challenged to acknowledge how White privilege and bias may appear in the playroom, and are guided to effectively diagnose and treat of children from various subcultures. I highly recommend that every play therapist use this book as a guide to build the foundation of antibias clinical work with children and families.”

—April D. Duncan, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S, Founder and CEO, BMH Connect


“A valuable tool for play therapists of all skill levels. It provides a working definition of 'culture' and goes to the heart of issues involved in conducting play therapy with children from differing cultures and subcultures. Chapters offer effective techniques and strategies to employ in clinical practice. This is a wonderful and timely book.”

—John Paul Lilly, MS, LCSW, RPT-S, private practice, Provo, Utah​

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Table of Contents

Foreword, Robert Jason Grant

Introduction: Redefining and Broadening the Definition of Culture, Eliana Gil & Athena A. Drewes

1. Practicing Child-Centered Play Therapy from a Multicultural and Social Justice Framework, Peggy L. Ceballos, Phyllis Post, & Mónica Rodríguez

2. White Privilege, Anti-Racism, and Promoting Positive Change in Play Therapy, Eliana Gil

3. Culturally and Racially Attuned Play Therapy: Toward a Social Justice Approach, Jamila Codrington

4. The Impact of Culture on Expressive Arts Therapy with Children, Cathy A. Malchiodi

5. Exploring Gender and Sexuality Using Play Therapy, Quinn K. Smelser

6. Providing Mental Health Services to Undocumented Families of Color in Our Current Culture, Myriam Goldin & Eliana Gil

7. The Culture of Violence in Schools, Athena A. Drewes

8. Filial Therapy with Hearing-Impaired Children, Cary M. Hamilton & Sarah Moran

9. The Culture of Technology and Play Therapy, Rachel A. Altvater

Appendix A. Resources on Multicultural Play Therapy

Appendix B. Resources on Gender and Sexuality in Play Therapy

Index

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About the Editors

Eliana Gil, PhD, RPT-S, ATS, is a founding partner and senior clinical and research consultant in a private group practice, the Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery and Education, in Fairfax, Virginia. Dr. Gil is an approved marriage and family therapy supervisor; a registered play therapist/supervisor; a registered art therapist; a Circle of Security certified parent educator; and a Level II Theraplay provider. She is a former president of the Association for Play Therapy, which honored her with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Gil is the author of numerous publications on child abuse prevention and treatment. Originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador, she is bilingual and bicultural.

• Author's website
• All titles by Eliana Gil

;
Athena A. Drewes, PsyD, RPT-S, is a licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist, and registered play therapist and supervisor. Dr. Drewes is semi-retired in Ocala, Florida. She has over 40 years of clinical and supervision experience with children and adolescents experiencing complex trauma and sexual abuse in school, outpatient, and inpatient settings. She is a past board member of the Association for Play Therapy and a founder and president emeritus of the New York Association for Play Therapy. A frequently invited guest lecturer around the United States and internationally, Dr. Drewes has published 11 books on play therapy.

• All titles by Athena A. Drewes

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Contributors

Rachel A. Altvater, PsyD, Owner and Psychologist, Creative Psychological Health Services, Baltimore, Maryland

Peggy L. Ceballos, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Counseling and Higher Education, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

Jamila Codrington, PhD, Supervising Psychologist, Astor Services for Children and Families, Bronx, New York

Athena A. Drewes, PsyD, Founder and President Emeritus, New York Association for Play Therapy; Former Director, Association for Play Therapy, Ocala, Florida

Eliana Gil, PhD, Founding Partner, Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery and Education, Fairfax, Virginia

Myriam Goldin, LCSW, Founding Partner, Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery and Education, and Director, Starbright Training Institute for Child and Family Play Therapy, Fairfax, Virginia

Cary M. Hamilton, MA, Director, Play Therapy, Antioch University Seattle, Seattle, Washington; Director, Olympia Therapy, Tumwater, Washington; Director, Playful Wisdom, Olympia, Washington

Cathy A. Malchiodi, PhD, Founder and Executive Director, Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute, Louisville, Kentucky

Sarah Moran, MA, Senior Clinician, Olympia Therapy, Tumwater, Washington

Phyllis Post, PhD, Professor, Department of Counseling, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina

Mónica Rodríguez, MEd, doctoral student, Department of Counseling and Higher Education, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

Quinn K. Smelser, PhD, LPC, RPT, private practice, Fairfax, Virginia

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Audience

Play, art, and other creative arts therapists; clinical psychologists, social workers, and counselors working with school-age children and their families.

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Course Use

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

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Previous editions published by Guilford:

First Edition, © 2005
ISBN: 9781593853808

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New to this edition:

• Virtually a new book; incorporates a broader definition of culture and an increased social justice focus.
• Chapters on working with children of color, LGBT children and adolescents, undocumented families, and Deaf children.
• Chapter on dismantling white privilege in the play therapy office.
• Chapters on school bullying and on how technology is transforming play, including tips for conducting tele-play therapy.