Play Therapy: Theory, Research and Practice

Now in a significantly revised second edition featuring 85% new material, this authoritative play therapy reference and text comprehensively reviews the current state of the field. Expert contributors describe theoretical foundations, showcase widely used clinical approaches, and explore challenging and timely professional issues. The book presents vivid case illustrations and synthesizes the play therapy research base. Chapters on specific populations (such as neurodivergent children, culturally diverse children, adolescents) and clinical problems (such as trauma, disrupted attachment, anxiety) provide engaging course content and the knowledge therapists need to tailor interventions effectively.

New to This Edition

• Chapters on Gestalt play therapy, prescriptive play therapy, group play therapy, and nature-based play therapy.
• Chapters on racial trauma, chronic illness, depression and suicidality, and attachment trauma.
• Chapters on working with infants and parents, immigrant children and families, and LGBTQIA+ youth.
• Chapters on telemental health, resilience, parent consultation, and working within child protection and legal systems.
• Enhanced focus on research, with new coeditor Dee C. Ray bringing particular expertise.

David A. Crenshaw, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S, is Chief of Clinical Services (Emeritus) at the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie in Poughkeepsie, New York. Dr. Crenshaw is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA), the APA Division of Child and Adolescent Psychology, and the American Academy of Clinical Psychology. He has taught play therapy at Johns Hopkins University and Columbia University, is a past president of the New York Association for Play Therapy, and supervised over 100 doctoral- and master’s-level interns over a 55-year career. Dr. Crenshaw is author or editor of 21 professional books, three books of poetry, and more than 100 articles and chapters on child and adolescent therapy, child trauma and abuse, resilience, play therapy, and family therapy. He has received lifetime achievement awards from the Hudson Valley Psychological Association, the New York Association for Play Therapy, and the United States Association for Play Therapy.

Anne L. Stewart, PhD, RPT-S, a playful practitioner of play therapy, is Professor of Clinical Psychology at James Madison University, where she teaches, supervises, and conducts play and family therapy each week. Dr. Stewart has written and presented worldwide on attachment, crisis intervention, supervision, nature and play therapy, military families, and resilience, and has partnered with colleagues in government organizations, universities, and nongovernmental organizations on countless teaching, research, and service projects. She is founder of the Virginia Association for Play Therapy and served as board chair of the Association for Play Therapy and the Foundation for Play Therapy. Dr. Stewart is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Association for Play Therapy and the Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

Dee C. Ray, PhD, LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S, is Regents Professor and Elaine Millikan Mathes Professor in Early Childhood Education in the Counseling Program and Co-Director of the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas. Dr. Ray has published over 150 articles, chapters, and books in the field of play therapy, specializing in the process and effects of child-centered play therapy. She is a founding board member and past president of the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling, as well as past board chair of the Association for Play Therapy (APT). Dr. Ray is a Fellow of the American Counseling Association and a two-time recipient of the Outstanding Research Award from the APT, among other honors. She operates the counseling practice EmpathyWell, in Highland Village, Texas, where she facilitates play therapy, training, and supervision.