Shlomo Ariel is an Israeli senior clinical psychologist and family therapist, widely published in his areas of expertise – psychotherapy integration, play research, play therapy and culturally competent psychotherapy. He is an international trainer of therapists in these areas. http://www.enjoymychild.com

"A masterful blending of play therapy theories and techniques in make-believe play sessions. Thought-provoking and insightful!" Charles Schaefer, Ph.D., Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, Co-Founder & Director Emeritus, The Association for Play Therapy, USA"Integrative Play Therapy with Individuals, Families and Groups provides a comprehensive blueprint to guide both beginners and seasoned practitioners. Ariel methodically links concepts from systems, linguistic and play theory to create an innovative, integrated approach to diagnosis and treatment, the Diamond Model. The application of the model is illustrated though compelling and in-depth case examples in varying treatment formats. The practice of integrative play therapy is further exhibited by thought-provoking dialogues about the cases with an interdisciplinary team. The complexity of issues confronting practitioners today is daunting. Ariel’s book offers a theoretically grounded, methodical, and thorough guide to construct effective and playful interventions." Professor Anne Stewart, Department of Graduate Psychology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, Member of the Association for Play Therapy Board of Directors, Past President of the Virginia Association for Play Therapy"Once again, Dr. Ariel has challenged and articulated insights into our play therapy field. Words like preparatory moves, integration of family and individual therapy, interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative supervision come alive in this, his most recent book. Such a pleasure in our times to hear from a clinician with wisdom, not just knowledge, but wisdom with respect to the entire child and his/her family." Allan Gonsher, L.C.S.W., Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kids, Inc., USA

• PrefaceAcknowledgementsIntroduction Part 1: Theoretical and methodological foundations 1. My favorite play therapy mix 2. Apprasing the current state of the art 3. The Diamond Model Part 2: X-Raying make-believe play 4. Play observation techniques 5. Microscopic analysis of observed play 6. Macroscopic analysis on the semantic level 7. Macroscopic analysis of the pragmatic level Part 3: The manifold magic of make-believe play 8. A formal definition of make-believe play 9. Linguistic peculiarities of make-believe play10. Make-believe play as a vehicle of learning and development11. Make-believe play as a pacifier 12. The therapeutic powers of play, revisited Part 4: Planning a multi-systemic play therapy 13. Multi-systemic diagnostic evaluation 14. Planning a therapeutic strategy Part 5: How to do it? 15. Conducting a play-therapeutic session 16. Lucy: the girl who created her own father 17. Nadav: a sweet oppositional-defiant boy 18. Play therapy: a reality show 19. FinaleList of cases, sessions and observationsIndex

Shlomo Ariel is an Israeli senior clinical psychologist and family therapist, widely published in his areas of expertise – psychotherapy integration, play research, play therapy and culturally competent psychotherapy. He is an international trainer of therapists in these areas. http://www.enjoymychild.com

"A masterful blending of play therapy theories and techniques in make-believe play sessions. Thought-provoking and insightful!" Charles Schaefer, Ph.D., Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, Co-Founder & Director Emeritus, The Association for Play Therapy, USA"Integrative Play Therapy with Individuals, Families and Groups provides a comprehensive blueprint to guide both beginners and seasoned practitioners. Ariel methodically links concepts from systems, linguistic and play theory to create an innovative, integrated approach to diagnosis and treatment, the Diamond Model. The application of the model is illustrated though compelling and in-depth case examples in varying treatment formats. The practice of integrative play therapy is further exhibited by thought-provoking dialogues about the cases with an interdisciplinary team. The complexity of issues confronting practitioners today is daunting. Ariel’s book offers a theoretically grounded, methodical, and thorough guide to construct effective and playful interventions." Professor Anne Stewart, Department of Graduate Psychology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, Member of the Association for Play Therapy Board of Directors, Past President of the Virginia Association for Play Therapy"Once again, Dr. Ariel has challenged and articulated insights into our play therapy field. Words like preparatory moves, integration of family and individual therapy, interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative supervision come alive in this, his most recent book. Such a pleasure in our times to hear from a clinician with wisdom, not just knowledge, but wisdom with respect to the entire child and his/her family." Allan Gonsher, L.C.S.W., Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kids, Inc., USA

• PrefaceAcknowledgementsIntroduction Part 1: Theoretical and methodological foundations 1. My favorite play therapy mix 2. Apprasing the current state of the art 3. The Diamond Model Part 2: X-Raying make-believe play 4. Play observation techniques 5. Microscopic analysis of observed play 6. Macroscopic analysis on the semantic level 7. Macroscopic analysis of the pragmatic level Part 3: The manifold magic of make-believe play 8. A formal definition of make-believe play 9. Linguistic peculiarities of make-believe play10. Make-believe play as a vehicle of learning and development11. Make-believe play as a pacifier 12. The therapeutic powers of play, revisited Part 4: Planning a multi-systemic play therapy 13. Multi-systemic diagnostic evaluation 14. Planning a therapeutic strategy Part 5: How to do it? 15. Conducting a play-therapeutic session 16. Lucy: the girl who created her own father 17. Nadav: a sweet oppositional-defiant boy 18. Play therapy: a reality show 19. FinaleList of cases, sessions and observationsIndex