Play Therapy

Garry L. Landreth, EdD, LPC, RPT-S, is Regents Professor Emeritus, Department of Counseling and Higher Education and Founder and Director Emeritus, Center for Play Therapy, University of North Texas.

"Substantially updated to include a wealth of new information, Garry draws on his vast experience and wisdom to expand on the healing power of the child-centered play therapy relationship. Fresh ideas and insights poignantly illustrated through personal stories and case examples both enlighten and touch the reader’s heart. A must-read for all play therapists to expand their depth of practice, and for anyone committed to a deeper understanding of children and what they need in order to heal and reach their full potential."Sue C. Bratton, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, Professor Emerita and Director Emerita, Center for Play Therapy, University of North Texas."A subsequent edition that is a masterpiece! Previous editions of Play Therapy have been such classics that it is difficult to imagine an improvement would be possible. However, this 4th edition accomplishes it. There are so many impressive additions. This book is both familiar and new – something only Dr. Landreth could do. This is a foundational book in my classes and should be required for anyone looking to understand and practice play therapy."Daniel S. Sweeney, PhD, LMFT, LPC, RPT-S, Professor, Clinical Director, and Director of the NW Center for Play Therapy Studies, George Fox University."Dr. Landreth has done it again! He has gifted the child therapy community with an insightful, meaningful, and practical framework for Child-Centered Play Therapy. Building on his last three editions, Dr. Landreth offers new perspectives and reflections on processes within play therapy. This new edition brings the dynamics of play therapy alive through multiple cases and session transcripts that illustrate Dr. Landreth’s teaching points. Every page led me to reflect upon the significance of play therapy in children’s lives."Dee C. Ray, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, NCC, Regents Professor, Co-Director of the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas.

• 1. About Me, Garry Landreth; 2. The Meaning of Play 3. History and Development of Play Therapy; 4. A View of Children; 5. Child-Centered Play Therapy, 6. Being Culturally Responsive; 7. The Play Therapist; 8. Supervision and Play Therapy Training; 9. Parents as Partners in Play Therapy; 10. The Playroom and Materials; 11. Beginning the Relationship: The Child’s Time; 12. Characteristics of Facilitative Responses; 13. Discovering Meaning When There Seems to Be No Meaning; 14. Therapeutic Limit Setting; 15. Typical Problems in Play Therapy and What to Do If; 16. Issues in Play Therapy; 17. Determining Therapeutic Process and Termination; 18. Intensive and Short-Term Child-Centered Play Therapy; 19. Research Evidence for CCPT