Play Therapy Theories and Perspectives

Robert Jason Grant, EdD, LPC, RPT-S, ACAS, owns and operates the AutPlay Therapy Clinic in Southwest Missouri. He is the creator of AutPlay® Therapy and a multi-published author of several articles, chapters, and books. He is an international presenter and keynote speaker and currently serves as a board member for the Association for Play Therapy. Jessica Stone, PhD, RPT-S, is a licensed psychologist working in a private practice setting in Colorado. She has been a practitioner, professor, presenter, mentor, and author for more than 25 years. She is the co-creator of the Virtual Sandtray App for iPad (VSA) and the Virtual Sandtray for Virtual Reality (VSA-VR). Dr. Stone has numerous publications to date including Integrating Technology into Modern Therapies, Game Play, and Digital Play Therapy.Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S, is an international speaker, author, and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. She is currently the Director of Child & Adolescents at Wasatch Family Therapy and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern California MSW program.

"Experienced play therapists illuminate the current practice of Play Therapy. Highly recommended!"-Charles Schaefer, PhD, RPT-S, co-founder, The Association for Play Therapy."Have you longed for deep conversations with expert, seasoned play therapists from a variety of approaches to the field? Have you ever had hard questions about the different ways of doing play therapy and wished you had someone to help you sort through them? I have, and this book, a book that answers the hard questions from a panorama of play therapy theoretical orientations and styles, is the answer to that longing! It’s like you get to sit around in a circle with amazing play therapy thinkers and doers and learn from them."-Terry Kottman, PhD, NCC, RPT-S, LMHC, Creator of Adlerian Play Therapy.

• Introduction; Part 1: Perspective; Chapter 1: Do You Have A Primary Play Therapy Theory or Approach You Use the Most and Why?; Chapter 2: What Advice Would You Give Someone Just Getting Started in Play Therapy?; Chapter 3: What are the Key Characteristics of a Well-Trained Play Therapist?; Chapter 4: What are the Top Ten Items You Feel are Necessary in a Play Therapy Office?; Chapter 5: What Have Been Some of the Most Challenging Things You Have Experienced as a Play Therapist?; Chapter 6: What are Your Thoughts About Using Technology in Play Therapy?; Part 2: Process; Chapter 7: What Emphasis Do You Place on the Importance of Speaking the Client’s Language?; Chapter 8: How Do You Include Parents in the Play Therapy Process?; Chapter 9: What is the Importance of Regulation in Your Play Therapy Work; How is That Best Achieved?; Chapter 10: How Do You Incorporate Nature into Play Therapy Treatment?; Chapter 11: How Do You Address Issues of Noncompliance and Aggression in the Playroom?; Chapter 12: How Do You Use A Sand Tray in Your Play Therapy Work?; Chapter 13: How Do You Use Expressive Arts in Play Therapy?; Chapter 14: How Do You Address Issues of Intersectionality in Your Practice?; Part 3: Practice; Chapter 15: What Are Your Suggestions for Building a Successful Play Therapy Practice?; Chapter 16: What Do You Think is One of the Most Challenging Ethical Issues Currently in Play Therapy?; Chapter 17: How Do You Set and Maintain Boundaries in the Playroom and with Clients, Parents, Caseworkers, Etc.?; Chapter 18: How Do You Prevent Burnout and Compassion Fatigue?; Chapter 19: How Do You Include Play in Your Play Therapy Supervision?; Chapter 20: How Do You Use Play Therapy Across the Lifespan with Respect to Client Ages?; Conclusion.