Group Play Therapy With Sexually Abused Preschool Children: Group Behaviors and Interventions

Abstract

Group play therapy is a common treatment modality for children who have been sexually abused. Sexually abused preschoolers exhibit different group play therapy behaviors than do nonabused children. Group workers need to be aware of these differences and know the appropriate group interventions. This article describes group play therapy with sexually abused preschool children, how to establish a play therapy group for sexually abused preschoolers, common group play therapy behaviors observed among sexually abused preschoolers, and appropriate group therapy interventions.