Play Therapy

A Psychodynamic Primer for the Treatment of Young Children

Pamela Meersand, Ph.D., and Karen J. Gilmore, M.D.

2018
484 Pages
Editorial Reviews

ISBN 978-1-61537-144-0
Item #37144

List Price: $62.00
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Description
Contents
Editorial Reviews
About the Authors

Play Therapy: A Psychodynamic Primer for the Treatment of Young Children provides a contemporary, comprehensive exploration of the theory and technique of psychoanalytically oriented play therapy, addressing both the dearth of writings on these topics and the frequent lack of in-depth education on the basic principles and practice of psychodynamic play therapy offered by contemporary training programs for child clinicians.

Divided into two distinct parts, this guide covers major theoretical issues—including the role of play in human development, the application of basic psychodynamic concepts to work with young children, and the impact of contemporary techno-culture on play—and offers pragmatic guidance on conducting play treatment and handling the complexities of treating young patients (e.g., initiating treatment, working with parents, managing aggression in the playroom).

Among the book's standout features are:

An abundance of clinical vignettes that illustrate childhood behaviors, common dilemmas, and potential therapist responses
A summary of key concepts at the end of each chapter that underscores major takeaways and can be easily referenced by busy clinicians
A glossary of key terms for each chapter for added comprehensibility

Offering a skillful balance of broad but coherent foundational information as well as practical application, Play Therapy: A Psychodynamic Primer for the Treatment of Young Children functions both as an introduction for young therapists and as a guide for more experienced child clinicians who wish to expand their knowledge of play and its therapeutic potential.

About the Authors
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part I: Theory of Play and Play Therapy
Chapter 1. Why Play Therapy? Introduction to the Psychodynamic Treatment of Young Children
Chapter 2. Play, Playfulness, and the Sequence of Play Forms in Development: An Overview of Play in Development
Chapter 3. Pretend Play
Chapter 4. Play in the Digital Age
Chapter 5. Basic Psychodynamic Concepts and Their Use in Play Therapy
Chapter 6. Therapeutic Action and the Multiple Functions of Play Therapy
Chapter 7. Play and Developmental Psychopathology, Deprivation, or Disability
Part II: Technique of Play Therapy
Chapter 8. The Logistics: Planning a Practice and Arranging for Office Space
Chapter 9. Getting Started, Creating an Alliance, and Facilitating Play
Chapter 10. Working With Parents Over the Course of Treatment
Chapter 11. Deepening Play Therapy: Verbalizing Inner States, Expanding Narratives, and Working With Transference and Defense
Chapter 12. Ending Play Therapy and the Process of Termination
Chapter 13. Play Therapy, Variations in Child Development, and Serious Psychopathology
Conclusion
Appendix A: Selected Measures for Play Therapy
Appendix B: Development Form
Appendix C: Narrative School Reports

Pamela Meersand, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Director of the Child Division at the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research.

Karen J. Gilmore, M.D., is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Senior Consultant to the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research.

Play Therapy: A Psychodynamic Primer for the Treatment of Young Children, authored by Pamela Meersand, Ph.D. and Karen J. Gilmore, M.D. applies a historic and also contemporary view of this important treatment modality. While the book has a primarily psychodynamic focus, it also highlights the role of development in a clearly written manner. Carefully chosen vignettes help the reader substantively understand play therapy techniques and how to implement them in their practice. Importantly, the impact of electronic games on the child's play is constructively dealt with providing the reader a greater understanding of how to integrate these games into therapy. This book will be a welcome addition for all new and seasoned child therapists working with younger children.—Jeffrey Hunt, M.D., Professor and Program Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship and Combined Program in Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Child Psychiatry, Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Play Therapy provides the student-clinician with a rare blend of conceptual fluency regarding the nature of play and clinical illustrations which bring those constructs beautifully to life. Meersand and Gilmore are both two brilliant thinkers and two innovative clinicians, and the reader is immensely buoyed by their acumen in both realms. The net result of their work is a volume that is simply a must read for depth clinicians at the early stages of their training. I know I will use the book myself in my teaching of child therapy from now on.—Steve Tuber, Ph.D., ABPP, Professor of Psychology and author of Starting Treatment with Children and Adolescents