Guilford Publications Inc. While there is a relative paucity of research supporting play therapy as an effective therapeutic modality for children, there is a lot of it being vended. It may be that this is because it can get paid for by insurance companies, is relatively easy to do, and may even be somewhat pleasant for a mental health professional. However, in the era of managed care, short term play therapy is a desirable venture. This book provides both descriptions and suggestions about how to do it. The chapter on cognitive behavioral play therapy has the most basis in therapy research and leads off the book. It is a good, brief introduction into short term play therapy. The remaining chapters include different theoretical approaches, i.e., Gestalt therapy, and suggested procedures for special circumstances, i.e., grief, trauma, divorce, etc. Therapy following these examples is not likely to be harmful to children unless a therapist takes some of the concepts advanced into a courtroom and pontificates about the symbolic meaning and interprets play behavior in settings where people’s lives may be affected. Therapists who want to know how to do play therapy can benefit from reading this book. Just don’t go too far and stay aware of the limitations of play therapy. Reviewed by Ralph Underwager, Institute for Psychological Therapies.
|
