Therapeutic Powers of Play

CHARLES E. SCHAEFER, PhD, RPT-S, is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. Dr. Schaefer has written or edited over fifty-five professional books, many on the topic of play therapy. He cofounded the Association for Play Therapy in 1982, which currently has over 6,000 members, and now serves as Director Emeritus for the organization.ATHENA A. DREWES, PsyD, MA, RPT-S, is the Director of Clinical Training and the APA-Accredited Internship at Astor Services for Children & Families, a multiservice nonprofit agency in New York. She is past director of the Association for Play Therapy and serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Play Therapy.

• Preface xiiiAcknowledgments xvAbout the Editors xviiAbout the Contributors xix1 Introduction: How Play Therapy Causes Therapeutic Change 1Athena A. Drewes and Charles E. SchaeferTherapeutic Factors 1Therapeutic Powers of Play 2How Best to Use the Material in This Book 4References 6Part I Facilitates Communication 92 Self-Expression 11Mary Morrison Bennett and Stephanie EbertsWhy Is Self-Expression Therapeutic? 11Empirical Support of the Power of Self-Expression in Play Therapy 14Role of Self-Expression in Facilitating Change 15Strategies and Techniques in Facilitating Self-Expression 16Applications 21Clinical Vignettes 21Summary 23References 233 Access to the Unconscious 25David Crenshaw and Kathleen TillmanIntroduction 25The Power of Play Therapy to Access the Unconscious 26Empirical Support 27The Role of Accessing the Unconscious in Causing Change 28Strategies and Techniques 29Clinical Applications and Clinical Vignettes 33Summary 36References 374 Direct Teaching 39Theresa FraserIntroduction 39Role of Direct Teaching in Causing Change 40Strategies and Techniques 42Empirical Support 43Clinical Applications 44Vignette 45Summary 48References 485 Indirect Teaching 51Aideen Taylor de FaoiteIntroduction 51Indirect Teaching 52Empirical Support 53Role of Indirect Teaching in Causing Change 56Strategies and Techniques 59Clinical Applications and Vignettes 61Conclusion 66References 67Part II Fosters Emotional Wellness 696 Catharsis 71Athena A. Drewes and Charles E. SchaeferIntroduction 71Description of Catharsis 72Empirical Support 73Role of Catharsis in Causing Change 74Clinical Applications 75Techniques 76Contraindications 77Clinical Vignettes 78References 797 Abreaction 83Eileen PrendivilleIntroduction 83Description of Abreaction 85Empirical Support 87Role of Abreaction in Causing Change 89Strategies and Techniques 92Clinical Applications and Clinical Vignettes 94References 988 Positive Emotions 103Terry KottmanIntroduction 103Description of Positive Emotion 104Empirical Support 107Role of Positive Emotion in Causing Change 111Strategies and Techniques 113Clinical Applications and Clinical Vignettes 115References 1179 Counterconditioning Fears 121Tammi Van HollanderDescription of Counterconditioning Fears 121The Role of Counterconditioning Fears in Causing Change 122Play Strategies and Techniques 122Empirical Support 124Clinical Applications 125Case Vignettes 125Conclusion 129References 12910 Stress Inoculation 131Angela M. CavettDescription of Stress Inoculation 131Empirical Support for Stress Inoculation 133Role of Stress Inoculation in Causing Change 134Strategies and Techniques 136Clinical Vignettes 136Conclusion 139References 14011 Stress Management 143Kristin S. BemisIntroduction 143Description of Stress Management 144Empirical Support 145Role of Stress Management in Causing Change 146Strategies and Techniques 148Clinical Applications and Clinical Vignettes 149References 152Part III Enhances Social Relationships 15512 Therapeutic Relationship 157Anne L. Stewart and Lennis G. EchterlingIntroduction 157Description of the Therapeutic Relationship 157Empirical Support 159Role of the Therapeutic Relationship in Causing Change 160Strategies and Techniques 161Clinical Applications and Clinical Vignettes 163Conclusion 167References 16813 Attachment 171William F. Whelan and Anne L. StewartIntroduction 171Description of Attachment 171Empirical Support 173The Role of Attachment in Causing Change 174Strategies and Techniques 177Clinical Applications and Clinical Vignette 179Conclusion 181References 18214 Social Competence 185Julie Blundon NashIntroduction 185Description of Social Competence 185Empirical Support 186Role of Peer Relationships in Causing Change 187Strategies and Techniques 188Clinical Applications and Clinical Vignettes 189Conclusion 192References 19215 Empathy 195Richard GaskillIntroduction 195Description of Empathy 196Empirical Support 196Components of Empathy 197Role of Empathy in Causing Change 201Strategies and Techniques 203Clinical Applications 204Summary 206References 207Part IV Increases Personal Strengths 21116 Creative Problem Solving 213Sandra W. Russ and Claire E. WallaceIntroduction 213Description of Creative Problem Solving 213Role of Creative Problem Solving in Causing Change 214Clinical Applications 215Empirical Support 217Clinical Vignette 219References 22217 Resiliency 225John SeymourDescription of Resiliency 226Role of Resiliency in Causing Change 227Clinical Applications 228Empirical Support 233Clinical Vignette 234References 23818 Moral Development 243Jill PackmanDescription of Moral Development 243Empathy 245Neurobiology 246Role of Moral Development in Causing Change 246Individual Play Therapy Techniques 247Group Play Therapy Techniques 248Child-Parent Relationship Therapy 249Clinical Vignettes 250Applications 253References 25319 Accelerated Psychological Development 255Siobhán PrendivilleIntroduction 255Importance of the Specific Power 255Empirical Support 255Role of Accelerated Psychological Development in Causing Change 259Strategies and Technique 259Clinical Applications and Clinical Vignettes 263References 26520 Self-Regulation 269Marcie Yeager and Daniel YeagerIntroduction 269The Power of Self-Regulation 270Executive Function Allows for Goal-Directed (Intentional) Behavior 271An Experience of Empowerment: Emphasizing the “Self” in Self-Regulation 272Empirical Support: What the Research Shows 272A Developmental Perspective: How Self-Regulation Is Internalized 274The Zone of Proximal Development 277The “Future Child” 278The Role of Play in the Development of Self-Regulation 278Strategies for Assessment and Treatment: Staying in the Zone 282Summary 292References 29221 Self-Esteem 295Diane FreyIntroduction 295Description of Self-Esteem 295Empirical Support 298Role of Self-Esteem in Causing Change 300Strategies and Techniques 303Clinical Applications and Clinical Vignettes 309Conclusion 317References 317Author Index 319Subject Index 331