Challenges in the Theory and Practice of Play Therapy

Challenges in the Theory and Practice of Play Therapy provides an advanced and in-depth exploration of the issues and challenges relating to the training, theory and practice of Child-Centred Play Therapy. The ethos of the book is process orientated, and it discusses the particular therapeutic challenges that are encountered on a day-to- day basis.

Drawing upon clinical material and cutting-edge theory, David Le Vay and Elise Cuschieri bring together experienced practitioners from the field to explore key topics such as:

• The therapeutic use of self within play therapy
• Gender issues in play therapy
• The play therapist?s experience of self-doubt
• Working with acquired brain injury
• Working with developmental trauma
• The role of research within play therapy
• The role of experiential training groups in a play therapy training programme

Original and stimulating, Challenges in the Theory and Practice of Play Therapy will be of interest and value to all those working within the area of child mental health, both in practice and in training, and particularly those in the wider Arts and Play Therapy community who are working therapeutically with troubled children.

Landreth, Foreword. Le Vay, Cuschieri, Preface. Le Vay, To Be or Not to Be? The Therapeutic Use of Self within Child-Centred Play Therapy. Cuschieri, Can I Really Do This? An Exploration into Therapist Self-Doubt. Le Vay, Reflections on Gender: The Male Play Therapists. Thomas, Bridging the Cultural Divide: Meeting Cultural Challenges with Enhanced Awareness, Knowledge and Skills. Prichard, Stuck in the Dollhouse: A Brain-Based Perspective of Post Traumatic Play. Vance, Who am I Now? How Play Therapy Can Empower Children and Adolescents in their ‘Search for Self’ Following Severe Acquired Brain Injury. Reed, Tackling Taboos: Research in Play Therapy. Le Vay, Cuschieri, The Role of the Process Group Within a Play Therapy Training Programme: A Conversation.

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David Le Vay is a qualified and accredited play therapist, dramatherapist and social worker. Since qualifying as a therapist in 1992, he has worked with children who have experienced significant loss, trauma and abuse, as well as with their families and carers. David has particular experience over the last 15 years of working with a service that provides therapeutic support for children and young people with sexually harmful and problematic behaviour. He is also a Senior Lecturer at the University of Roehampton on their MA Play Therapy programme and an approved BAPT play therapy supervisor.

Elise Cuschieri is a qualified teacher and BAPT registered play therapist. For the past 10 years, she has worked as a play therapist in a specialist bereavement service with children and their families, pre- and post-bereavement. Elise is also a Senior Lecturer at the University of Roehampton where she teaches on the MA Play Therapy programme. As well as lecturing, Elise supervises play therapist trainees.