The Therapeutic Powers of Play: 20 Core Agents of Change

370 Pages·2013·1.95 MB·English

by  Charles E. Schaefer

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Praise for The Therapeutic Powers of Play:
20 Core Agents of Change, Second Edition
“Thisfirstchapterofthisbookusestheconceptof‘therapeuticfactors’tocreateaverylogical
framework/rationaleforpullingtogetherthetheoriesandtechniquesonemightintegrateintoa
prescriptiveapproachtoplaytherapy.Thisisincrediblyusefulasitallowstherapiststotailor
their work to the needs of their child clients in a logical and systematic way. The remaining
chapters describe some of those therapeutic factors and play strategies from which the
prescriptive playtherapist mightdrawin creating individualized treatment approaches.”
Kevin O’Connor, PhD
Distinguished Professor
California Schoolof Professional Psychology
at AlliantInternational University
“Thehallmarkofagoodplaytherapistisaclearunderstandingofwhyplayinterventionsare
pertinent, how they work to foster therapeutic change, and how to select and facilitate play
therapy processes in ways that are theoretically grounded and empathically attuned to their
clients’ needs. The Therapeutic Powers of Play provides breadth and depth in exploring the
essential features of play operating within the therapy process. Each chapter describes a
fundamental therapeutic power of play, empirical support for it, its role in bringing about
change,andcasematerialtoillustrate.Thisvolumeprovidesakeyavenueforplaytherapiststo
understandtheinnerworkingsoftheircraft,andthereby,toenhancetheiruseofplaytherapy
with awide range ofclient challenges.”
Risë VanFleet, PhD,RPT-S, CDBC
Author ofChild-Centered PlayTherapy;
Filial Therapy:PlayTherapy With Kids andCanines, andOthers
President, FamilyEnhancement and PlayTherapy Center
PastChair ofthe Board,theAssociation forPlay Therapy
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The Therapeutic
Powers of Play
20 Core Agents of Change
Second Edition
Charles E. Schaefer
Athena A. Drewes
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LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData:
Schaefer,CharlesE.
Thetherapeuticpowersofplay:20coreagentsofchange/CharlesE.Schaefer,
AthenaA.Drewes.—Secondedition.
pages cm
Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.
ISBN978-1-118-33687-8(pbk.)
ISBN978-1-118-41658-7(ebk.)
ISBN978-1-118-66211-3(ebk.)
ISBN978-1-118-422020-1(ebk.)
1. Playtherapy. 2. Playtherapy—Methodology. I. Drewes,AthenaA.,1948- II. Title.
RJ505.P6S282014
618.920891653—dc23 2013007485
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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This book is dedicated to a clearer, more understandable, and
more effective application of the therapeutic powers of
play by everyone.
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Contents
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xv
AbouttheEditors xvii
AbouttheContributors xix
1 Introduction:HowPlayTherapyCauses
TherapeuticChange 1
AthenaA.DrewesandCharlesE.Schaefer
TherapeuticFactors 1
TherapeuticPowersofPlay 2
HowBesttoUsetheMaterialinThisBook 4
References 6
PARTI FACILITATES COMMUNICATION 9
2 Self-Expression 11
MaryMorrisonBennettandStephanieEberts
WhyIsSelf-ExpressionTherapeutic? 11
EmpiricalSupportofthePowerofSelf-ExpressioninPlayTherapy 14
RoleofSelf-ExpressioninFacilitatingChange 15
StrategiesandTechniquesinFacilitatingSelf-Expression 16
Applications 21
ClinicalVignettes 21
Summary 23
References 23
3 AccesstotheUnconscious 25
DavidCrenshawandKathleenTillman
Introduction 25
ThePowerofPlayTherapytoAccesstheUnconscious 26
EmpiricalSupport 27
TheRoleofAccessingtheUnconsciousinCausingChange 28
StrategiesandTechniques 29
ClinicalApplicationsandClinicalVignettes 33
Summary 36
References 37
vii
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viii CONTENTS
4 DirectTeaching 39
TheresaFraser
Introduction 39
RoleofDirectTeachinginCausingChange 40
StrategiesandTechniques 42
EmpiricalSupport 43
ClinicalApplications 44
Vignette 45
Summary 48
References 48
5 IndirectTeaching 51
AideenTaylordeFaoite
Introduction 51
IndirectTeaching 52
EmpiricalSupport 53
RoleofIndirectTeachinginCausingChange 56
StrategiesandTechniques 59
ClinicalApplicationsandVignettes 61
Conclusion 66
References 67
PARTII FOSTERSEMOTIONALWELLNESS 69
6 Catharsis 71
AthenaA.DrewesandCharlesE.Schaefer
Introduction 71
DescriptionofCatharsis 72
EmpiricalSupport 73
RoleofCatharsisinCausingChange 74
ClinicalApplications 75
Techniques 76
Contraindications 77
ClinicalVignettes 78
References 79
7 Abreaction 83
EileenPrendiville
Introduction 83
DescriptionofAbreaction 85
EmpiricalSupport 87
RoleofAbreactioninCausingChange 89
StrategiesandTechniques 92
ClinicalApplicationsandClinicalVignettes 94
References 98
8 PositiveEmotions 103
TerryKottman
Introduction 103