Prescriptive Play Therapy: Tailoring Interventions for Specific Childhood Problems

"This comprehensive work brings prescriptive play therapy center stage as a useful and viable model for treating many childhood disorders. Prevailing manualized therapies often fail to address the needs of the individual--but this book demonstrates ways to address individuality while being integrative and multimodal. For practicing play therapists, the volume provides a foundation for implementing prescriptive play therapy across disorders. For play therapy educators, it is well suited as a supplementary text in Advanced Play Therapy and special topics courses."--Edward F. Hudspeth, PhD, NCC, LPC-S, ACS, RPT-S, RPh, Associate Dean of Counseling Programs, Southern New Hampshire University

"Kaduson and colleagues have assembled a group of experts to give the reader a deep understanding of prescriptive play therapy and its clinical application to an array of childhood disorders. The authors provide a wealth of information to help clinicians select interventions based on treatment need. Each chapter offers step-by-step details for implementation, brought to life through case vignettes. This book is a ‘must read’ for both professionals and students.”--Sue C. Bratton, PhD, Professor Emerita of Counseling and Director Emerita, Center for Play Therapy, University of North Texas

“Kaduson, Cangelosi, and Schaefer provide a wonderful explanation of the theoretical integration involved in the prescriptive approach. Each chapter beautifully highlights the application of prescriptive play therapy through case illustrations, removing the veil from this client-driven approach. Readers will appreciate the discussion of the therapeutic powers of play that are core to all theoretical orientations. Child and play therapists will benefit from this contribution to the field, as will students of play therapy.”--Renee Turner, PhD, LPC-S, RPT/S, Professional Counseling Program, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

"Prescriptive play therapists recognize that in a field that so often focuses on differential diagnosis, there is an equally important need to focus on differential therapeutics. The editors and contributors are pioneers in play therapy who show that ‘integrative’ and ‘eclectic’ are not negative terms, but fundamental elements in the treatment process. Because children are unique, the treatment process needs to be tailored, specific, and individualized, as well as theory based. Prescriptive Play Therapy is relevant and timely, and should be on the shelves of both clinicians and educators.”--Daniel S. Sweeney, PhD, LMFT, LPC, RPT-S, Professor of Counseling and Director, Northwest Center for Play Therapy Studies, George Fox University

"This multifaceted book shows readers the value of seeing beyond one theoretical perspective so that a full range of interventions can be considered when working with children. Chapters explore how to combine approaches to provide high-quality, individualized care. I strongly recommend this book for all levels of play and child therapists and counselors who want to nourish their professional growth."--Joyce C. Mills, PhD, LMFT, RPT-S, Founder, StoryPlay® Global Certification Training Program, Phoenix, Arizona; Co-Director, Phoenix Institute for Ericksonian Psychotherapy

Heidi Gerard Kaduson, PhD, RPT-S, specializes in evaluation and intervention services for children with a variety of behavioral, emotional, and learning problems. She is past president of the Association for Play Therapy and Director of The Play Therapy Training Institute in Monroe Township, New Jersey. She has lectured internationally on play therapy, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and learning disabilities. Dr. Kaduson’s coedited books include Prescriptive Play Therapy and Short-Term Play Therapy, Third Edition. She maintains a private practice in child psychotherapy in Monroe Township.
 
Donna Cangelosi, PsyD, RPT-S, maintains a private practice with children, adolescents, and adults in Wayne, New Jersey, where she provides psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and parent education. Dr. Cangelosi is coauthor of Essential Play Therapy Techniques and coeditor of Prescriptive Play Therapy, and she has published several chapters and professional articles on the theory and application of psychodynamic play therapy. She has lectured throughout the country on topics related to play therapy and loss issues in children.
 
Charles E. Schaefer, PhD, RPT-S, is Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is Cofounder and Director Emeritus of the Association for Play Therapy, which recognized him with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Schaefer is the author or coauthor of more than 100 research articles and author or editor of over 70 professional books, including Prescriptive Play Therapy; Play-Based Interventions for Childhood Anxieties, Fears, and Phobias; and Essential Play Therapy Techniques.