Play in Clinical Practice

Sandra W. Russ, PhD, a child clinical psychologist, is Professor of Psychology at Case Western Reserve University. Her research and publications focus on pretend play, creativity, and adaptive functioning in children. Dr. Russ has served as President of the Society for Personality Assessment; the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (APA Division 53); and the Society for the Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts (APA Division 10). She is the developer of the Affect in Play Scale. Larissa N. Niec, PhD, is Professor of Psychology in the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program at Central Michigan University (CMU) and Director of the CMU Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Clinic. Dr. Niec conducts basic and applied research on play, child maltreatment, and parent-child interaction therapy. The overarching goal of her research program is to reduce barriers to evidence-based treatment for children and families. She is involved in national efforts to increase the effectiveness of treatment dissemination to community therapists.

This is a valuable book for professionals who work with children. Play is generally thought of as a normal and beneficial component of a child's development, but in this book we see how it can become an effective tool in the healing process. The contributors present current research and different approaches to assessment and treatment. The focus on evidence makes this a unique and refreshing addition to the numerous books about play.--Dorothy G. Singer, EdD, Department of Psychology, Yale UniversityPlay research and play therapy have much to learn from one another. This book opens up an important conversation between the two fields, reviewing a variety of clinical approaches and techniques that incorporate a play component. Fostering collaboration among researchers and clinicians is sure to help all of us better serve children and their families. The book will make a good supplemental text for courses in child development or play therapy.--Linda E. Homeyer, PhD, RPT-S, Professional Counseling Program, Texas State University-San MarcosBravo! This book offers a balanced discussion of the value of play. Weaving together chapters on play and learning, assessment, and play-based intervention, it is a timely 'go-to' resource for researchers and clinicians alike.--Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD, Lefkowitz Professor of Psychology, Temple University -This book will bring the reader up to date on the most current trends in play and playfulness, with a strong, particular emphasis on evidence-based research regarding this topic....We recommend this book to researchers interested in the newest developments in the field of play, and those who may be looking at generating research design for their projects. This is an ideal gift for anyone who expresses doubts about the scientific validity of play interventions.--Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 11/1/2012

• I. Play in Child Development 1. Cognitive and Affective Processes in Play, Sandra W. Russ, Julie Fiorelli, and Sara Cain Spannagel 2. Play and Interpersonal Processes Jason F. Jent, Larissa N. Niec, and Sarah E. BakerII. Play in Evidence-Based Assessment 3. Assessment and Pretend Play, Astrida Seja Kaugars 4. Measuring Parent-Child Interactions through Play, ElizabethBrestan Knight and Christie A. Salamone 5. Play, Playfulness, and Creativity in Therapeutic Assessment with Children, Deborah J. Tharinger, Gina B. Christopher, and May MatsonIII. Play in Evidence-Based Intervention 6. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: The Role of Play in the Behavioral Treatment of Childhood Conduct Problems, Larissa N. Niec, Cheryl Gering, and Emily Abbenante 7. The Use of Play in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Kristin M. Briggs, Melissa K. Runyon, and Esther Deblinger 8. Play Interventions for Children with Autism, Connie Kasari, Linh Huynh, and Amanda C. Gulrud 9. Integrating Play into Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Child Anxiety Disorders, Donna B. Pincus, Rhea M. Chase, Candice Chow, Courtney L. Weiner, and Jessica Pian 10. Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy, Sue M. Knell and Meena Dasari 11. The Importance of Play in Both the Assessment and Treatment of Young Children, Elizabeth J. Short, Maia Noeder, Suzanne Gorovoy, Michael J. Manos, and Barbara Lewis IV. Play in Evidence-Based Prevention Programs in School Settings 12. Play and Head Start, Sandra J. Bishop-Josef and Edward F. Zigler 13. Play Intervention and Prevention Programs in School Settings, Sandra W. Russ and Beth L. Pearson 14. Conclusions and Implications for the Use of Play in Intervention and Prevention Programs, Sandra W. Russ and Larissa N. Niec