With the increased cultural diversity among the child population in the United States, play therapists are obligated to ensure cultural inclusivity in their clinical practice and attune to their diverse clientele. A crucial aspect of cultural inclusive play therapy is the construction of an inclusive and therapeutic environment – the multicultural play therapy room. The multicultural play therapy room is an environment that invites cultural exploration and expression for all children. We conducted a recent Delphistudy that resulted in a clear definition of what constitutes a multicultural environment in play therapy, specifically a culturally-inclusive playroom (Ray et al., 2022). Further results from the study provided reflection and rationale for decision-making regarding materials for a multicultural play therapy room. The purpose of the current article is to provide play therapists with a list of materials that represent a culturally-inclusive playroom based on research. Furthermore, we provide rationale for decision-making when seeking to ensure the cultural inclusivity of a play therapy room.

Chung, R. K., Ray, D. C., Aguilar, E. V., & Turner, K. K. (2023). The multicultural play therapy room: Intentional decision making in selecting play therapy toys and materials. International Journal of Play Therapy, 32(4), 197–207. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000203

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

• Cultural and Social Diversity
  

Relational-Cultural Theory, a counseling theory that centers the importance of relational connection and sociocultural influences, provides helpful guiding principles for a creative, interpersonally focused, and culturally attuned model for the supervision of play therapists-in-training. This article outlines the main concepts of a Relational-Cultural Play Therapy Supervision approach and integrates it with the updated APT phases of training and competencies to highlight how this approach can support the development of play therapists. Core concepts discussed include: the importance and creation of connection in the supervisory relationship, navigating disconnection and fostering Relational Resilience, recognizing and working with sociocultural influences, and the intentional use of Relational Competence in skills and techniques. Additionally, a case study based on the first author’s experience is included to offer an illustration of Relational-Cultural Play Therapy Supervision in action.

Cormier, S. R., Manson, J. L., & Overley, L. C. (2023). Relational–cultural play therapy supervision: Integrating RCT into the supervision of play therapists. International Journal of Play Therapy, 32(3), 135–145. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000194

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

• Special Topics
• Cultural and Social Diversity

This study evaluates the effectiveness of two play-based programs in residential settings, a mixed-method study using randomized controlled trial, with the aims to enhance adult-child interaction and to reduce children’s behavior problems. A total of 24 children (aged between 6 to 10), together with their main carers, were randomly assigned to one of the play therapy programs (attachment-based play or board games). The participants were arranged into groups of four to attend an 8-session program in either condition. Results showed that both programs were effective, and the attachment-based play program was shown to significantly reduce children’s emotional problems. Carers’ levels of sensitivity toward the children (on physical touch and intimacy) was indicated in the qualitative responses by the carers. Those carers in the board game group showed more understanding of the children, and were able to observe them from a different perspective. The limitations and implications of this study are presented.

Siu, A. F. Y. (2023). Evaluating two play-based approaches for children and carers in residential settings: A mixed-method, randomized control study. International Journal of Play Therapy, 32(2), 63–74. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000130

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

• Seminal / Historically Significant Theories

This study aimed to develop and verify the effectiveness of an adventure play therapy program based on Adlerian theory and designed to increase community feeling among elementary school students. Adlerian constructs of self-encouragement, social interest, peer relations, and the Crucial Cs were the outcome measures. Participants were 32 grade five students attending an elementary school in Seoul, equally divided into the experimental and control groups. Ten counseling sessions over 5 weeks were conducted. The data were analyzed through independent variables t-tests, repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA), and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), as applicable. The results indicated a significant increase in the following factors in the experimental group compared with the control group after program completion: self-encouragement (total score, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional self-encouragement subdomains); social interest (total score, attitudes, and behavioral subdomains); and peer relations (total score, instrumental aid, intimacy, and superiority subscales). Furthermore, the results of the trend analysis among the experimental group showed that the score of the Crucial Cs gradually increased with the number of sessions in the experimental group. Thus, the results indicate that adventure play therapy based on Adlerian theory is effective in promoting a sense of community among preadolescent children. This study proposes a remarkable new approach to child group counseling by integrating the major concepts of Adlerian theory and adventure-based counseling. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Joe, J. H., & Jin, M. K. (2023). Development and application of an Adlerian adventure play therapy program: Increasing community feeling among elementary school students. International Journal of Play Therapy, 32(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000187

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

• Seminal / Historically Significant Theories
• Skills & Methods
  

Sandplay therapy is a cross-cultural, psychodynamic, non-directive, multi-sensory psychotherapy method founded by Dora Kalff. Sandplay is used with children and adults with a range of mental health problems. Despite sandplay’s growing popularity, its empirical evidence base is less developed than more well-known therapies. This international study provides a meta-analysis of the available quantitative outcome studies in order to summarize the growing evidence base of sandplay. The meta-analysis specifically examined emotional and behavioral outcome measures of treatment with sandplay therapy. The initial search identified 1715 potential records from over sixteen countries. After screening, forty studies from eight countries representing 1284 participants met the inclusion criteria. Mean effect sizes were calculated using a random effects model with the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis program (CMA). The overall effect size was large (Hedges’ g = 1.10). Large effect sizes were maintained for internalizing, externalizing and ADHD symptoms. Improved effect sizes were associated with individual treatment over the group format. These results suggest that sandplay therapy is an effective treatment method for children and adults with a wide variety of mental health concerns. Limitations and suggestions for further research are discussed.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

• Special Topics

School-based mental health practitioners are tasked with helping students meet social-emotional goals. Setting goals with children in schools can be a challenging process. School counselors, teachers, caregivers, and even the children themselves may not know what children most need to work on to be successful in school. Solution-focused play therapy (SFPT) is a strengths-based approach to play therapy that helps children work through challenges and find solutions by identifying and building on internal assets and external resources (Hartwig, 2021). SFPT offers specific techniques and interventions that can be used in schools to set goals and track progress (Kim et al., 2017; Sklare, 2014; Taylor, 2019). As a strengths-based modality, SFPT focuses on finding out what the child wants and then working with the child to develop small successive goals to create lasting change. This article will provide an introduction to SFPT, goal setting in schools, and creative interventions for helping children set and achieve goals in school settings.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

• Special Topics

Professional development programs and interventions that focus on helping teachers work sensitively with culturally diverse students can help raise teachers’ awareness about school climate, academic environment, and cultural values. In-depth analysis of all data collected through semi-structured interviews revealed CTRT contributed to raising teachers’ cultural awareness. The main findings include diversity, personal values, cultural awareness, impact of the training, and attuned relationships. These findings help inform play therapy practice. Limitations, future research, and implications of the findings are discussed.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

• Skills and Methods
• Cultural and Social Diversity
• Special Topics

In an effort to contribute to the growing body of literature regarding best approaches to university based play therapy training within graduate level counseling programs, this quantitative study explored the impact of an introductory play therapy course on trainees’ self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Additionally, the study explored differences in attitude, knowledge, and skills based on trainees’ status (new and more experienced graduate students in a counselor preparation program). Results indicated an increase in the three domains for all students and demonstrated significant differences between newer and more experienced students, in terms of skills. Implications are presented with attention to the importance of providing introductory play therapy courses early on in students’ training, as well as, advocating for inclusion of an introductory play therapy course within the general counseling curriculum.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

• Special Topics

Military-connected children represent intersectional identities and demonstrate unique vulnerabilities and strengths. Indeed, the wellbeing of military families is complex given stressors related to frequent separations and geographic re-locations, coupled with the high-risk nature of careers in the armed forces. However, military families also demonstrate several strengths, such as resilience, that may be overlooked in the mental health interventions offered to the military community’s youngest members. Previous researchers have illuminated the limitations of interventions provided to military-connected children, as well as methodological flaws that inhibit the development of exemplary practices for this population. In the article, the authors present several ways in which play therapy is responsive to the cultural values and mental health needs of military families. Additionally, the authors provide concrete strategies for play therapists and researchers to improve the rigor of play therapy research and support the efficacy of play therapy with military-connected children.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

• Special Topics

Children and adolescents who live in impoverished environments are at a high risk of experiencing adverse childhood trauma. Adverse childhood experiences have an effect on both medical health and mental health. Harmful childhood distress often results in negative outcomes. Interventions such as play therapy have proven to be effective in addressing concerns of adverse childhood experiences. Typically, medical professionals and mental health professionals have worked separately to address issues resulting from childhood trauma. Integrating both mental health and medical health services by utilizing play therapy in medical settings can have a positive impact on children and adolescents from low-income areas who experience chronic trauma. Collaboration of services for children and adolescents is important to maximize optimal development that will echo into adulthood and increase accessibility to care.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

• Special Topics