Play Therapy, Second Edition

“I have used this book with my graduate-level play therapy students for many years because of its comprehensive nature, and welcome the release of the second edition. Once again, the editors have gathered insightful clinicians to tackle a central question in the field of play therapy: How can theory, research, and practice come together to drive effective treatment? The second edition covers an extensive range of contemporary topics that are crucial for making informed treatment decisions and shaping the future of play therapy.”–Mary Anne Peabody, EdD, LCSW, RPT-S, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern Maine “Play is nature’s balm–it heals, builds, produces insights, and is the foundation for psychological resilience. Here we have an extraordinarily comprehensive, wonderfully written compendium of theory, practice, and research on the therapeutic uses of play.”–Peter Gray, PhD, Research Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College “An indispensable guide to the rapidly evolving field of play therapy for both new and experienced therapists. Each chapter presents innovative approaches that address the diverse spectrum of issues bringing children, adolescents, and families into therapy. The book demonstrates best practices in the field with engaging case studies, and provides fresh perspectives on foundational techniques. Readers will be inspired to learn more about play therapy and to practice what they find in this rich source.”–Karen Fried, PsyD, LMFT, private practice, Santa Monica, California; President, Violet Solomon Oaklander Foundation “The editors and contributors are to be congratulated on their achievements in this second edition. It is a comprehensive guide to a great multitude of aspects of play therapy, all essential to practicing well as a play therapist. I recommend it to play therapy teachers, students, and practitioners, both in the United States and worldwide.”–Virginia Ryan, PhD, child psychologist and play therapist, University of York (retired), United Kingdom-

David A. Crenshaw, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S, is Chief of Clinical Services (Emeritus) at the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie in Poughkeepsie, New York. Dr. Crenshaw is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA), the APA Division of Child and Adolescent Psychology, and the American Academy of Clinical Psychology. He has taught play therapy at Johns Hopkins University and Columbia University, is a past president of the New York Association for Play Therapy, and supervised over 100 doctoral- and master’s-level interns over a 55-year career. Dr. Crenshaw is author or editor of 21 professional books, three books of poetry, and more than 100 articles and chapters on child and adolescent therapy, child trauma and abuse, resilience, play therapy, and family therapy. He has received lifetime achievement awards from the Hudson Valley Psychological Association, the New York Association for Play Therapy, and the United States Association for Play Therapy.

Anne L. Stewart, PhD, RPT-S, a playful practitioner of play therapy, is Professor of Clinical Psychology at James Madison University, where she teaches, supervises, and conducts play and family therapy each week. Dr. Stewart has written and presented worldwide on attachment, crisis intervention, supervision, nature and play therapy, military families, and resilience, and has partnered with colleagues in government organizations, universities, and nongovernmental organizations on countless teaching, research, and service projects. She is founder of the Virginia Association for Play Therapy and served as board chair of the Association for Play Therapy and the Foundation for Play Therapy. Dr. Stewart is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Association for Play Therapy and the Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

Dee C. Ray, PhD, LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S, is Regents Professor and Elaine Millikan Mathes Professor in Early Childhood Education in the Counseling Program and Co-Director of the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas. Dr. Ray has published over 150 articles, chapters, and books in the field of play therapy, specializing in the process and effects of child-centered play therapy. She is a founding board member and past president of the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling, as well as past board chair of the Association for Play Therapy (APT). Dr. Ray is a Fellow of the American Counseling Association and a two-time recipient of the Outstanding Research Award from the APT, among other honors. She operates the counseling practice EmpathyWell, in Highland Village, Texas, where she facilitates play therapy, training, and supervision.