Theraplay: Innovations in Attachment-Enhancing Play Therapy

by Evangeline Munns (Editor)

Overview

Theraplay is a form of structured play therapy designed to strengthen the attachment between parents and their child. Dr. Evangeline Munns, a Theraplay therapist and trainer, introduces this treatment method in its traditional format of individual child and parent sessions. Its simple, action-oriented, and visual activities are presented in an atmosphere of playfulness and fun, designed to easily engage both parent and child. The adaptability of this approach has led to its innovative application in working with various populations (failure to-thrive infants, sexually abused children), within various formats (siblings, families, multi-families, groups), and in various settings (private practice, mental health centers, schools). Emphasizing enhanced self-esteem, trust, and confidence, Theraplay techniques are clearly and creatively presented with rich clinical detail in this volume.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781461632085
Publisher:	Aronson, Jason Inc.
Publication date:	01/01/2000
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	388
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Evangeline Munns, Ph.D., C.Psych., RPT/S, is a certified clinical psychologist and the clinical director of Blue Hills Play Therapy Services in Aurora, Ontario.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Contributors xv

Part I Introduction and Background

Introduction 1

1 Theraplay: The Early Years David L. Myrow 3

2 Traditional Family and Group Theraplay Evangeline Munns 9

3 The Marschak Interaction Method Lisbeth DiPasquaie 27

Part II Innovations in Family Theraplay

A Working with One Family

4 Applications for the Attachment-Fostering Aspects of Theraplay David L. Myrow 55

5 Theraplay and Parent Counseling Anita Mahy Janet MacQuarrie 79

6 Bringing the Sibling into Theraplay: A Family Systems View Doug Loweth 95

7 Treating Family Violence through Theraplay Sherri Blanchard John Breuer 103

8 Theraplay with Failure-to-Thrive Infants and Mothers Connie Bernt 117

9 Treatment of a Sexually Abused Child in the Context of Sibling Theraplay Susan Wood 139

B Working with Multifamilies

10 Dual Family Theraplay with Withdrawn Children in a Cross-Cultural Context Glen Manery 151

11 Multiple Family Theraplay Jamie Sherman 195

12 Multifamily Theraplay Groups with Homeless Mothers and Children Phyllis B. Rubin 211

13 Theraplay Innovations with Adoptive Families Norma Finnell 235

14 Adults and Children Together (ACT): A Prevention Model Janet Zanetti Charles O. Matthews Richard P. Hollingsworth 257

Part III Group Theraplay

15 Theraplay with Physically Handicapped and Developmentally Delayed Children Deborah Azoulay 279

16 Group Theraplay for Children with Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Susan Bundy-Myrow 301

17 Teacher-Led Theraplay in Early Childhood Classrooms Doris M. Martin 321

18 Using Theraplay in Primary Health Care Centers: A Model for Pediatric Care Mary R. Talen 339

Appendix: Theraplay Activities 363

Index 381

Editorial Reviews

Munns (clinical director of Blue Hills Play Therapy Services in Ontario) introduces a form of structured play therapy designed to strengthen the attachment between parents and their child. Applicable to children of all ages with a wide range of emotional, social, and behavioral problems, it is a short term and cost effective modality that emphasizes enhanced self-esteem, trust, and confidence. Topics include introduction and background, innovations in family Theraplay, working with multifamilies, and group Theraplay. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Therapists seeking new ways to help families with attachment and relationship problems will find this engaging book a valuable resource. Readers new to Theraplay will appreciate the clear introduction to this model with its many playful ways of fostering healthy relationships within families. Those knowledgeable about Theraplay will be delighted with the creative expansion of the technique to meet a variety of challenges and needs. They will discover how Theraplay has been adapted to work with several children within one family and even several families together, and to deal with such issues as family violence and sexual abuse. I welcome this excellent addition to the growing literature about Theraplay.

Phyllis B. Booth

Theraplay is a unique form of structured play therapy that uses touch, nurturing, and feeding as basic healing modalities. Children who are lacking in early experiences of attachment to caretakers are excellent candidates for this short-term therapy. In every type of Theraplay treatment, whether with an individual child, child with parent(s), siblings, multi-family groups, and so forth, the benefits are amply demonstrated in thorough detail with numerous case examples. This book testifies to the power inherent in this technique and provides state-of-the-art coverage for both the experienced and the novice practitioner.

Lois Carey

This book is invaluable to professionals working with children who have attachment issues. It provides a thorough grounding in the basic concepts of Theraplay, along with specific descriptions of innovative applications in work with groups, multiple families, and a wide variety of presenting problems.

Terry Kottman Terry Kottman

This book is invaluable to professionals working with children who have attachment issues. It provides a thorough grounding in the basic concepts of Theraplay, along with specific descriptions of innovative applications in work with groups, multiple families, and a wide variety of presenting problems.

Terry Kottman

Theraplay is a unique form of structured play therapy that uses touch, nurturing, and feeding as basic healing modalities. Children who are lacking in early experiences of attachment to caretakers are excellent candidates for this short-term therapy. In every type of Theraplay treatment, whether with an individual child, child with parent(s), siblings, multi-family groups, and so forth, the benefits are amply demonstrated in thorough detail with numerous case examples. This book testifies to the power inherent in this technique and provides state-of-the-art coverage for both the experienced and the novice practitioner.--Lois Carey, M.S.W., B.C.D., director of the Center for Sandplay Stuides

Therapists seeking new ways to help families with attachment and relationship problems will find this engaging book a valuable resource. Readers new to Theraplay will appreciate the clear introduction to this model with its many playful ways of fostering healthy relationships within families. Those knowledgeable about Theraplay will be delighted with the creative expansion of the technique to meet a variety of challenges and needs. They will discover how Theraplay has been adapted to work with several children within one family and even several families together, and to deal with such issues as family violence and sexual abuse. I welcome this excellent addition to the growing literature about Theraplay.--Phyllis B. Booth, M.S., LCPC, LMFT, RPT/S, director of training, The Therplay Institute, Chicago

This book is invaluable to professionals working with children who have attachment issues. It provides a thorough grounding in the basic concepts of Theraplay, along with specific descriptions of innovative applications in work with groups, multiple families, and a wide variety of presenting problems.--Terry Kottman, Ph.D., LMHC, NCC, RPT/S, founder, Encouragement Zone Play Therapy Training Center

From the Publisher