Child-centered Play Therapy Research Articles

Impacts of an intensive child-centered play therapy training workshop for school counselors

ABSTRACT This mixed methods study examined the impacts of an intensive play therapy workshop that included a micro-practicum for 18 practicing school counselors. This study also explored school counselors’ experiences regarding their training for addressing mental health issues in schools and their experiences following the intensive play therapy workshop. Participants ranged in age from 28 years to 66 years. Fifteen (n = 15) participants identified as female while three (n = 3) identified male. Varying levels of clinical play therapy experience were represented in this study with 44.4% (n = 8) participants reporting having no prior clinical experience in play therapy, 33.3% (n = 6) reporting having under 1 year of clinical experience in play therapy, 5.6% (n = 1) reporting having 2 years of clinical play therapy experience, 5.6% (n = 1) reporting having 3 years of clinical play therapy experience, and 11.1% (n = 2) reporting having more than 3 years of clinical experience in play therapy. Results indicated that an intensive play therapy workshop with micro-practicum positively affects school counselors’ scores on the Play Therapy Attitude Knowledge and Skills Survey and School Counselor Self-efficacy scales.

The integration of the child-centered play therapy and parent consultation: a case study with a preschool-aged child

ABSTRACT The authors analyze the case of a preschool-aged child in child-centered play therapy (CCPT) and her parents in parent consultation. The child was referred to the clinic with the problem of constantly sucking her lips. 18 CCPT sessions were conducted with the child, and as a result of observed need, additional parent consultation meetings were held. The progress of the child in the therapeutic process was interpreted based on the CCPT perspective. In addition, the importance of the integrated parent consultation was discussed from a culturally sensitive standpoint.

Child-centered play therapy and chronic illness with outcome data: A retrospective case study.

Child-centered play therapy and chronic illness with outcome data: A retrospective case study.

Treating trauma with child-centered play therapy through the SECURE lens of polyvagal theory.

Treating trauma with child-centered play therapy through the SECURE lens of polyvagal theory.

School-Based Mental Health Services for Racial Minority Children in the United States

Racial minority children have been an underserved population and are particularly vulnerable due to limited access to community resources, especially mental health services. Schools have been noted as appropriate that environment to deliver services for underserved children (Blewett, Casey, & Call, 2004). However, little is known about the effectiveness of exiting school-based services targeting minority students. Therefore, this study reviewed past research regarding the effects of school-based mental health services (SBMHS) for racial minority children and analyzed the methodological and cultural features. By applying the Levels of Evidence-Based Intervention Effectiveness (LEBIE) scale and the cultural sensitivity criteria, the researchers examined whether existing SBMS were designed with rigor and cultural sensitivity. Our study analyzed the effects of SBMS with child-centered play therapy or resilience-building programs on mental illness of racial minority groups of children, such as increasing social connectedness and decreasing depressive symptoms. Our study findings implied that SBMS should be provided for students of color who have limited access to resources and health care services in their communities. School professionals also need to reach out in multiple contexts to students of color by understanding structural racism and oppression.

The Effect of Child-Centered Play Therapy on Children with Anger Control Problems is True

Background: Children's anger and aggressive behaviors become a problem for teachers and parents at home, in the classroom, or the playground. Pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches are recommended for children who cannot control their anger. Child-centered play therapy is one of these approaches. Aim: This study aimed to reveal the effect of child-centered play therapy on children with anger issues. Materials and Methods: The study group consists of 25 volunteer child clients with anger symptoms, and the control group consists of 25 volunteer child clients without anger symptoms. Each participant was given child-centered play therapy with 45-min sessions twice a week for 3 weeks during the research process. The Trait Anger-Anger Style Scale was administered to the participants before and after the therapy. Results: As a result of the study, it was shown that children with anger issues experienced a significant change and improved after child-centered play therapy. Children have become able to control their anger. At the same time, improvement was observed in the verbal and behavioral expression of anger. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that child-centered play therapy can be an effective treatment option for children with anger issues and aggressive behaviors.

Child-Centered Play Therapy and Childhood Depression: An Effectiveness Study in Schools

Child-Centered Play Therapy and Childhood Depression: An Effectiveness Study in Schools

발달 지연 아동의 발달적 변화를 위한 조기중재 사례 연구 : 통합적 놀이치료 중재를 중심으로

This study aims to examine the effects of integrated play therapy on early intervention for developmental changes in children with developmental delays. Pre- and post-tests were conducted and compared to identify developmental changes. For integrated play therapy, the study analyzed progress monitoring and recording records with the following findings. First, a change was noted in intelligence quotient (71 → 84). Second, the intervention was conducted by integrating child-centered play therapy, thera play and cognitive-behavioral play therapy.

A Qualitative Study among Refugee Children with Anxiety in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: The Effect of Child-Centred Play Therapy on the Social-Emotional Development

A Qualitative Study among Refugee Children with Anxiety in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: The Effect of Child-Centred Play Therapy on the Social-Emotional Development

Child‐centered play therapy and adverse childhood experiences: A randomized controlled trial

AbstractThere is a preponderance of evidence that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) result in harmful physical, learning, social, emotional, and behavioral health outcomes during childhood, with far reaching effects lasting across the lifespan. The cumulative effect of childhood adversity and its relationship to childhood trauma represent an urgent call to action among stakeholders, yet treatment studies are rare. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to explore the impact of child‐centered play therapy (CCPT) among children with two or more ACEs on improvement of social and emotional assets and behavioral problems. Results of a repeated measures linear mixed model demonstrated statistically significant increases in social‐emotional competencies including empathy, social competence, and self‐regulation/responsibility and decreases in total behavior problems among children who participated in CCPT. Results of this study support the effectiveness of CCPT among children who have experienced ACEs and at risk for complex trauma.

Enhancing self-esteem using child centered play therapy on bullying victims children

Bullying regularly occurs within the school environment and has a serious impact on its victims. Children who receive repeated negative treatment can develop a psychological problem, which is low self-esteem, which causes children to withdraw from their social environment. This study aims to determine child-centered play therapy (CCPT) to increase self-esteem (bullying). The study design was an experimental pre-test post-test control group design. Subjects that participated in the study were 20 children victims of bullying with an age range of 9-11 years. The instrument used in this study was Rosenberg Self Esteem (RSE). The data analysis used non-parametric with Wilcoxon test and Mann Whitney test. The results showed that child-centered play therapy (CCPT) could enhance self-esteem in bullying victims' children.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of psychosocial interventions for 6–12-year-old children who have been forcibly displaced

BackgroundChildren who have been forcibly displaced are likely to experience psychosocial challenges given they may be dealing with past trauma and challenges of adapting to their new environment. Effective psychosocial interventions are needed to promote psychosocial wellbeing. Literature identifies the ages of 6–12 years (middle childhood), as key to addressing psychosocial development. To date, systematic reviews identifying effective psychosocial interventions for children have focused on adolescents. AimWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to: 1) identify psychosocial interventions conducted in middle childhood with forcibly displaced children; 2) summarize the characteristics of the included interventions; 3) identify the methodological quality of the studies; and 4) identify effectiveness of the interventions. MethodA comprehensive literature search was conducted across four databases and supplementary literature. Study design was classified according to the National Health and Medical Research Council Hierarchy of Evidence. Methodological quality was assessed using the QualSyst appraisal checklist. Intervention approaches were classified into activity codes using the ‘Who is Where When doing What’ (4Ws) tool. Intervention effects were explored through meta-analysis. ResultsNineteen studies with 2386 children met the eligibility criteria. A total of 19 intervention approaches were identified. The interventions found to be most promising were Narrative Exposure Therapy for children and adolescents (KidNET), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Child-Centred Play Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and creative interventions. Unstructured play or education alone did not produce a beneficial intervention effect. ConclusionsMiddle childhood presents a unique opportunity to address psychosocial wellbeing with forcibly displaced children. While psychological-based activities in this review demonstrated effectiveness for symptom reduction, future intervention options should expand to include strengths- and resilience-based. Further research evaluating the effectiveness of psychosocial intervention for forcibly displaced children is required using randomised control designs, greater sample sizes, and longitudinal data.

Comparing of the Effectiveness of Child-Centered Play Therapy and Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) on the Affective Style in Children with Separation Anxiety Disorder

Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of child-centered play therapy and (CPRT) on the affective styles in children suffering from separation anxiety disorder. Method: The research method was semi-experimental with pre-test and post-test and control groups. The statistical population of this study consisted of all female students with separation anxiety in the fifth and sixth grades of primary schools in city of Babol, of whom 45 of these students were selected via random sampling, and were randomly divided into three groups: experimental group-1, experimental group-2 and control group. The first experimental group received child-centered play therapy with Axline approach in sixteen 45-minute sessions, and the second experimental group were taught (CPRT) ten 2-hour sessions. The research instruments were questionnaire (form d) of the children Symptoms Inventory (Sprafkin, Lani & Gadow, 1994) and the Affective Style Questionnaire (Hofmann & Kashdan, 2010) . Covariance was used to analyze the data. Findings: The results showed that both interventions play an effective role in improving the affective styles in children with separation anxiety disorder. Moreover, there was a significant difference between the effectiveness of (CPRT) and child-centered play therapy and the (CPRT) was more effective in improving the affective styles there (p< 0/05). Conclusions: CPRT training can be considered as a more suitable alternative in improving the affective styles as well as in improving the psycho-cognitive symptoms of children with separation anxiety disorder.

Exploring the impact of child-centered play therapy for children exhibiting behavioral problems: A meta-analysis.

Exploring the impact of child-centered play therapy for children exhibiting behavioral problems: A meta-analysis.

분리불안이 있는 유아의 아동중심놀이치료 사례연구

The purpose of this study was to analyze the process of child-centered play therapy for three preschoolers with separation anxiety qualitatively and it’s effect quantitatively. The procedure of this study was as follows: First, we conducted a separation anxiety test for 400 preschoolers who enrolled in daycare centers and kindergartens at B city and selected three preschoolers who showed high separation anxiety scores as participants with parental consent. Second, we conducted a psychological evaluation. Third, we conducted child-centered play therapy. Fourth, we conducted a separation anxiety test again after terminating therapy. Fifth, we analyzed qualitative data using Yin(2013)’s five-step circulation process and quantitative data using t-test. Results of analyses showed that child-centered play therapy was effective and three preschoolers’ separation anxiety was resolved. This study is meaningful in terms of providing therapists who treat preschoolers who show high separation anxiety with presenting experiential information using various examples of successful therapeutic changes.

An Examination of Child-Centered Play Therapy and Synergetic Play Therapy

ABSTRACT Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) and Synergetic Play Therapy (SPT) are theories used in the counseling profession to promote healing in child clients. Whereas CCPT has a long-standing history, SPT is relatively new to the field and incorporates ideas from many sources including CCPT, Gestalt Play Therapy, Experiential Play Therapy, attachment theory, and Interpersonal Neurobiology. In this paper, we compare and contrast the philosophies and goals of both models as well as the convergence and divergence in protocols related to treatment progression, toys, limit-setting, and therapeutic statements. We also explore the importance of the relationship and the role of the therapist. This paper concludes with a hypothetical case scenario to further highlight the similarities and differences between CCPT and SPT therapists in action.

Adapting child-centered play therapy for children with type 1 diabetes.

Adapting child-centered play therapy for children with type 1 diabetes.

Child-centered play therapy’s impact on academic achievement: A longitudinal examination in at-risk elementary school students.

Child-centered play therapy’s impact on academic achievement: A longitudinal examination in at-risk elementary school students.

Child-centered play therapy and social–emotional competencies of African American children: A randomized controlled trial.

Child-centered play therapy and social–emotional competencies of African American children: A randomized controlled trial.

Effects of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) on disruptive behavior of at-risk preschool children in Head Start.

Effects of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) on disruptive behavior of at-risk preschool children in Head Start.