Case Studies in Non-Directive Play Therapy

'Colleagues interested in the process of play therapy...will find much to enjoy and stimulate their thinking in this book. It is easy to read without being simplistic, and offers a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and delights of working with troubled children.'- Clinical Child Psychology and PsychiatryThe seven case studies in this book provide a detailed and absorbing account of play therapy undertaken with children and an adolescent, all of whom experienced emotional problems and/or varying forms of abuse. Through the narrative form of the individual case studies, details of the children's therapeutic progress are given, which are then used to inform discussion of wider practical and theoretical issues. These issues include communicating with young children, working with silent children, restoring a child's normal developmental trajectory within play therapy, and the roles of race, gender and power in play therapy.Balancing practice and theory, Case Studies in Non-directive Play Therapy will be of interest to experienced practitioners and students alike.

Virginia Ryan is Senior Tutor and Supervisor on the MA/Diploma in Non-directive Play Therapy at the University of York and is in independent practice in Hull. Kate Wilson is Senior Lecturer in Social Work, and Director of the MA/Diploma in Non-directive Play Therapy, at the University of York.