Play as Therapy

While paediatric healthcare professionals view play as the treatment tool of choice for children under school age, the theory and practice underpinning play-based therapeutic approaches often remain less clear to individual practitioners. Paediatric intervention approaches are increasingly being questioned, and individual practitioners constantly asked to provide evidence-based practice. In response, a more coherent understanding and fresh discussion on children's play and utilisation of play for therapeutic purposes is needed, especially as societal expectations and lifestyles change.

Play as Therapy provides background theory and practical applications of original research on play assessment and interventions used in therapy. The book offers a solid foundation for identifying and assessing play dysfunction, understanding play in different cultural contexts and considerations when intervening with play. The practical approach is underpinned by theory, research and case vignettes to explain how to utilise play as therapy with challenging children.

“'this book is certainly a recommended purchase for all our members, trainees and experienced practitioners alike.'- Play For Life'It is a book that affirms, excites and challenges... In each chapter are hidden gems of learning and wisdom... Ultimately it is a most valuable source of learning and an invitation to further exploration because its style is engaging and, at the same time, reassuring.'- Counselling Children and Young People'This is a comprehensive, easy to read book exploring the many facets of play therapy, with chapters written by various experts within the field. It follows a logical progression from theory, through assessment tools, context & lastly, therapy.'- Occupational Therapy Australia'Stagnitti (Occupational Science and Therapy Program, Deakin University, Australia) and Cooper (University of Newcastle, Australia) invite contributors from Australia, Europe and the US to provide background and teory and applications of play therapy for assessment and intervention.'- SciTech Books News'A valuable guide to play-based interventions for children. Individual chapters by experts in the field deal with play theory, practice and assessment. The links between clinical practice and developmental research are highlighted. This excellent book should prove useful to child mental health professionals across the world in their search for effective ways to assist children and their families.'- Charles E. Schaefer PhD, RPT-S, Co-founder and Director Emeritus of the Association for Play Therapy, USA'The book is clearly written and each chapter comes with its own reference list, which is useful in itself. The book contains much new material to learn from and reflect on for a wide range of people who work where children play.'- Playwords”

'A... a valuable guide to play-based interventions for children. Individual chapters by experts in the field deal with play theory, practice and assessment. The links between clinical practice and developmental research are highlighted. This excellent book should prove useful to child mental health professionals across the world in their search for effective ways to assist children and their families.' - Charles E. Schaefer PhD, RPT-S, Co-founder and Director Emeritus of the Association for Play Therapy, USA

Karen Stagnitti PhD is Associate Professor of the Occupational Science and Therapy program at Deakin University, Australia. She has over 30 years' experience as a paediatric occupational therapist working with children who have issues with their development. Rodney Cooper PhD is a rural-based academic with the University of Newcastle, Australia. As a paediatric occupational therapist he has a broad interest in play therapy, child abuse and sustainable rural communities.

While paediatric healthcare professionals view play as the treatment tool of choice for children under school age, the theory and practice underpinning play-based therapeutic approaches often remain less clear to individual practitioners. Paediatric intervention approaches are increasingly being questioned, and individual practitioners constantly asked to provide evidence-based practice. In response, a more coherent understanding and fresh discussion on children's play and utilisation of play for therapeutic purposes is needed, especially as societal expectations and lifestyles change.Play as Therapy provides background theory and practical applications of original research on play assessment and interventions used in therapy. The book offers a solid foundation for identifying and assessing play dysfunction, understanding play in different cultural contexts and considerations when intervening with play. The practical approach is underpinned by theory, research and case vignettes to explain how to utilise play as therapy with challenging children.'... a valuable guide to play-based interventions for children. Individual chapters by experts in the field deal with play theory, practice and assessment. The links between clinical practice and developmental research are highlighted. This excellent book should prove useful to child mental health professionals across the world in their search for effective ways to assist children and their families.' - Charles E. Schaefer PhD, RPT-S, Co-founder and Director Emeritus of the Association for Play Therapy, USA

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