International Journal of Play Therapy® Tests


Presentations: 1

Starting with the January 2018 issue, earn non-contact continuing education credit by completing tests based upon the International Journal of Play Therapy®.

ATTENTION: The fee does not include publication material, price includes CE test only. APT Members must consult their print or online International Journal of Play Therapy prior to completing tests online.

Access the International Journal of Play Therapy® archives to view the article issues online.

 
Continuing Education

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APA. The Association for Play Therapy (APT) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. APT maintains responsibility for this program and its content.


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NBCC. The Association for Play Therapy (APT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5636. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. APT is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.


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APT. The Association for Play Therapy (APT) offers continuing education specific to play therapy. APT Approved Provider 95-100 maintains responsibility for the program.

Sessions

Effect of CPRT with Adoptive Parents of Preadolescents: A Pilot Study iconEffect of CPRT with Adoptive Parents of Preadolescents: A Pilot Study

Preview Available

Effect of CPRT with Adoptive Parents of Preadolescents: A Pilot Study

Credits: None available.

Older adopted children and their families often express high need for support for attachment and trauma related concerns. Postadoption mental health intervention focused on enhancing the parent–child relationship among adoptive parents and adoptees is essential for fostering placement permanency among these families. This single group pilot study explored the effect of child–parent relationship therapy (CPRT) for adoptive parents of preadolescents who reported attachment related concerns, stress in the parent–child relationship, and child behavior problems. Participants were adoptive parents with adoptees between the ages of 8 to 14 adopted out of foster care. Data was collected at baseline, pretest, midtest, and posttest. Results from nonparametric Friedman test of differences across 4 points of measure indicated that CPRT demonstrated statistically significant improvement for the 3 outcome variables: parental empathy, child behavior, and parent child relationship stress. Specifically, results indicated that prior to receiving CPRT (baseline to pretest), parents demonstrated no change or worsening in functioning across all variables, whereas during the intervention phase findings showed a large treatment effect for parental empathy, a medium effect for parenting stress, and a small effect for child behavior problems. Findings from this pilot study support CPRT as a promising mental health intervention for adoptive parents and preadolescent children. Clinical implications and recommendations for working with adoptive parents of preadolescents are explored within the context of these findings.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

  • Skills and Methods
  • Special Topics

Learning Objectives:
  • Describe present findings of a pilot study to provide evidence for the effectiveness of Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) with adoptive parents of preadolescents.
  • Articulate knowledge and rationale for adapting CPRT for parents of preadolescents.  
  • Assess procedures and limitations of pilot study to increase rigor in future research.
Speaker(s):
Intensive Child-Centered Play Therapy in a Remote Australian Aboriginal Community iconIntensive Child-Centered Play Therapy in a Remote Australian Aboriginal Community

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Intensive Child-Centered Play Therapy in a Remote Australian Aboriginal Community

Credits: None available.

Few studies have explored mental health treatment programs for Aboriginal Australian children under the age of 12 years old. Isolated locations, coupled with therapy modalities that are not developmentally and culturally suitable for children who have experienced adversities, exacerbate the typical challenges in providing health services needed for optimum child development. Therapeutic services offered in Aboriginal communities typically follow a traditional delivery of therapy, meeting no more than once a week, or less,as remoteness increases. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effectiveness of an intensive child-centered play therapy (iCCPT) program in a remote Aboriginal community with children who have experienced adversity. Pre- and post measures, utilizing Goodman’s (1997)Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, were collected from parents and teachers. Semi structured interviews were conducted with parents who participated in the program after the intervention ended. Nine child participants attended an average of 15sessions in a 10-day format. Total difficulties, as reported by both parents and teachers,diminished after the program. In particular, emotional problems, as rated by teachers,decreased over time. If replicated in a randomized control trial, these findings would suggest that an iCCPT program may be feasible and effective in remote Australian Aboriginal communities.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

  • Skills and Methods
  • Special Topics

Learning Objectives:
  • Provide readers with knowledge about the advantages of increasing Child Centered Play Therapy to twice daily.
  • Determine the effectiveness of an intensive Child-Centered Play Therapy (iCCPT) program in a remote Aboriginal community with children who have experienced adversity.
  • To generate and disseminate evidence-based practices when working with Australian Aboriginal Children and their families.
Speaker(s):
Play Therapists' Perceptions of Wellness and Self-Care Practices iconPlay Therapists' Perceptions of Wellness and Self-Care Practices

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Play Therapists' Perceptions of Wellness and Self-Care Practices

Credits: None available.

The importance of professional helpers’ wellness and self-care has received significant attention in the past decade and is even considered an ethical obligation by many organizations for professional helpers. Play therapists, compared with providers of other treatment modalities, might be more susceptible to professional and personal impairment because they bear witness to children’s experiences through the process of play therapy, which can illicit strong emotional reactions from the client and from the therapist. They may also be at a heightened risk be cause of their nature to want to protect and nurture children. Yet no published accounts of research were found to elaborate specifically on play therapists’ wellness attitudes and experiences. We surveyed Registered Play Therapists and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisors about their perceptions, practices, and suggestions for wellness and self-care. Results provide preliminary and exploratory data, implications for play therapists and supervisors, and suggestions for more research on this topic.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

  • Special Topics

Learning Objectives:
  • Inform about the elements this group of play therapists use to define wellness and the importance of self-care.
  • Discuss what this group of play therapists consider to be self-care strategies, and ways self-care strategies are used to improve or maintain play therapists' wellness.
  • Identify potential strategies and implications sfor improving individual’s self-care practices and wellness.
Speaker(s):
Evidencing the therapeutic powers of play to understand the mechanism of change in filial therapy iconEvidencing the therapeutic powers of play to understand the mechanism of change in filial therapy

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Evidencing the therapeutic powers of play to understand the mechanism of change in filial therapy

Credits: None available.

Integrating Theory, Evidence and Action (ITEA) is a type of systematic review methodology, which was used to investigate the underlying agents of therapeutic change in one filial therapy approach, Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT). The Therapeutic Powers of Play (TPoP) framework was applied to recent peer-reviewed journal articles to extract evidence that TPoP are activated in CPRT. Data were deconstructed to determine the prevalence of TPoP within each sub-system of therapy: the child, parent, therapist, their relationships, and family environment. Meta-analyses revealed that play therapy with full parental involvement (filial therapy) yielded greater effect size than partial or no parental involvement (Lin & Bratton, 2021). Greater understanding about the mechanism of change in filial therapy may allow therapists to enhance the intervention and understand modifications necessary to individualise treatments for specific presenting problems or populations. A diagram will be presented to conceptualise the sequences and sub-systems in CPRT. This study highlights that filial therapy is a developmentally sensitive intervention which facilitates therapeutic change across the lifespan and throughout family systems. Filial therapy activates all TPoP except counter-conditioning fears. The highest number of TPoP were evidenced within the parent-child relationship. Filial therapy facilitates change in social relationships in families through activating attachment, social competence, empathy, and therapeutic relationships. Explicit integration of TPoP through development of a TPoP goal-setting tool, or providing specific feedback about observed activation of TPoP could potentially further strengthen the therapeutic effect of filial therapy. Further observational assessment is recommended to identify the prevalence of implicitly activated TPoP.

Griffin, L., & Parson, J. (2023). Evidencing the therapeutic powers of play to understand the mechanism of change in filial therapy. International Journal of Play Therapy, 32(2), 107–121. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000193

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

  • Seminal / Historically Significant Theories
  • Special Topics

Learning Objectives:
  • Provide an overview of Child Parent Relationship Therapy.
  • List the top five (5) therapeutic powers of play activated within filial therapy.
  • Explain the mechanism of therapeutic change in parents, children, therapists, their relationships and the family environment, following filial therapy.
Speaker(s):
  • Lucy Griffin, MS
  • Judi Parson, PhD, Masters in Play Therapy (School of Psychology, Roehampton University, London); RN (AHPRA), RPT-S (APPTA)
More Than Just a Game Using Lotería in Play Therapy With Mexican/Mexican American Clients iconMore Than Just a Game Using Lotería in Play Therapy With Mexican/Mexican American Clients

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More Than Just a Game Using Lotería in Play Therapy With Mexican/Mexican American Clients

Credits: None available.

The therapeutic value of games in therapy has been well-established and is a common practice among clinicians, especially those working with children and families. However, an underlying assumption is that games are universal, without attention to the role of culture. The incorporation of traditional cultural games, such as Lotería, brings the benefits of game play with the addition of cultural sensitivity. Lotería is a traditional Mexican game, similar to Bingo, that is recognizable and accessible within the Mexican/Mexican-American community. Mental health disparities among Latinx populations, and Mexican/Mexican-Americans specifically, have been well documented and exacerbated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we will discuss how the game Lotería helps to address the needs of this community, outlining the theoretical underpinnings of the approach, providing a detailed didactic application of the game, as well as presenting a case study to illustrate these components. This is all framed within the context of the pandemic, attending to both in-person and virtual applications. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Llamas, J. D., & Alvarado, C. (2023). More than just a game: Using Lotería in play therapy with Mexican/Mexican American clients. International Journal of Play Therapy, 32(1), 51–62. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000185

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

  • Social and Cultural Diversity

Learning Objectives:
  • Identify the importance of attending to culture in play therapy.
  • Describe how the traditional Mexican game, Lotería, can be incorporated into play therapy.
  • Discuss the theoretical underpinnings of using Lotería in play therapy.
Speaker(s):
Factors Impacting Play Therapists’ Social Justice Advocacy Attitudes iconFactors Impacting Play Therapists’ Social Justice Advocacy Attitudes

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Factors Impacting Play Therapists’ Social Justice Advocacy Attitudes

Credits: None available.

The population in the United States is becoming more racially diverse. Young children in minoritized groups have many disadvantages due to circumstances beyond their control. They experience more poverty (US Census Bureau, 2017), unequal educational opportunities (US Census Bureau, 2019), discriminatory practices (Pascoe & Smart Richman, 2009), trauma (Sacks & Murphey, 2018), mental health diagnoses, and inadequate mental health services. Mental health professionals who work with children, specifically play therapists, must be more responsive to the needs of these young children through both clinical works and social justice advocacy. To support racially diverse children, to support therapists in offering services, and to advocate on behalf of children, researchers need to explore factors that may influence their social justice advocacy attitudes. The purpose of this study was to examine how adverse childhood experiences, attitudes related to trauma-informed care, and cultural humility were related to social justice advocacy attitudes among play therapists. A standard multiple regression was utilized ( N= 409). Results indicated that attitudes related to trauma-informed care and cultural humility contributed significantly to the prediction of social justice advocacy attitudes, accounting for 11% of the variance. Implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

  • Special Topics
  • Cultural and Social Diversity

Learning Objectives:
  • List three factors that have been shown to be related to social justice advocacy attitudes among play therapists.
  • Identify three disadvantages minority children experience due to circumstances beyond their control.
  • Describe three reasons that it is important to explore social justice advocacy attitudes in play therapy.
Speaker(s):
Child-Centered Play Therapy and Chronic Illness with Outcome Data: A Retrospective Case Study iconChild-Centered Play Therapy and Chronic Illness with Outcome Data: A Retrospective Case Study

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Child-Centered Play Therapy and Chronic Illness with Outcome Data: A Retrospective Case Study

Credits: None available.

This retrospective case study examined the impact of short-term child-centered play therapy on health-related quality of life in the context of pediatric chronic illness. Specifically, PedsQLTM and satisfaction data was collected pre- and post- intervention, which included 10 sessions of individual play therapy, caregiver consultations, and provider collaboration for a child with a rare pulmonary disorder with a high treatment burden, including frequent hospitalizations and invasive procedures. Results revealed marked improvement across all domains of HRQOL for this patient. Participation in play therapy corresponded with notably improved quality of life as well as ability to successfully participate in medical treatment, thus supporting this patient’s health progress as well as social-emotional function.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

  • Seminal / Historically Significant Theories
  • Special Topics

Learning Objectives:
  • Provide specific information regarding play therapy with a child in a medical setting.
  • Identify measures to utilize when assessing progress of play therapy with a child who is chronically ill.
  • Discuss a case example of play therapy with a child who is chronically ill.
Speaker(s):
What experiences prompted adoptive parents of preadolescents to self-refer for child–parent relationship therapy? iconWhat experiences prompted adoptive parents of preadolescents to self-refer for child–parent relationship therapy?

Preview Available

What experiences prompted adoptive parents of preadolescents to self-refer for child–parent relationship therapy?

Credits: None available.

Adoptive parents and preadolescent children experience unique relational challenges post-adoption. As a developmentally responsive and attachment sensitive approach, child-parent relationship therapy (CPRT) is an established evidence-based mental health intervention for adoptive families. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of adoptive parents of preadolescents which prompted self-referral to CPRT. Participants were 18 adoptive parents of preadolescents who self-referred for CPRT post-adoption. We identified four main themes which characterized parents’ experiences which prompted seeking treatment during preadolescence: adoption experiences, relationship components, parenting considerations, and child factors. This study helps inform mental health professionals working with adoptive families seeking play therapy services. Limitations and opportunities for future research are presented within the context of these findings.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

  • Special Topics

Learning Objectives:
  • Discuss the applicability and evidence base for Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT).
  • Identify reasons that adoptive parents of preadolescents may self-refer to CPRT services.
  • Explain future research directions for CPRT and post-adoption services during preadolescence.
Speaker(s):
A Case Application of Adlerian Play Therapy with Teachers to Combat Burnout and Foster Resilience iconA Case Application of Adlerian Play Therapy with Teachers to Combat Burnout and Foster Resilience

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A Case Application of Adlerian Play Therapy with Teachers to Combat Burnout and Foster Resilience

Credits: None available.

Students achievement is positively correlated with teacher encouragement. This article focuses on the use of Adlerian group play therapy principles and techniques to foster teacher resiliency and reduce burnout. A review of the factors impacting teacher burnout, a description of the practice of Adlerian group play therapy, and the benefits of play techniques with adults will be provided. A case applying Adlerian group play therapy principles and techniques with teachers for the purpose of combatting teacher burnout and fostering resilience will be presented and discussed, including considerations for implementation within a school setting.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

  • Skills and Methods
  • Special Topics

Learning Objectives:
  • Describe the impact of teacher burnout on student academic performance
  • Discuss the foundational principles of the theory and practice of Adlerian Play Therapy
  • Apply the principles of Adlerian Play Therapy to working with adults
Speaker(s):
Theraplay as a Family Treatment for Mother Anxiety and Child Anxiety iconTheraplay as a Family Treatment for Mother Anxiety and Child Anxiety

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Theraplay as a Family Treatment for Mother Anxiety and Child Anxiety

Credits: None available.

Anxiety is a prevalent form of child psychopathology and has been predicted by maternal anxiety and mother-child attachment. Given that attachment processes are intertwined with emotion regulation, attachment-based therapies that foster regulatory skills may be effective in treating anxiety. The attachment-based therapeutic approach, Theraplay therefore demonstrates promise for family anxiety treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine Theraplay as a treatment for maternal anxiety and child anxiety in families where both mothers and children (ages 4-7) had clinically significant anxiety. Six mothers and six children (n=12) with anxiety participated in treatment. Data were collected across three repeated baseline measurements, 12 Theraplay sessions, and a follow-up. Results indicated that all mother-child dyads’ anxiety scores decreased and were lower at the follow-up than at the baseline. In addition to reductions in anxiety, families demonstrated trends in increased closeness and decreased conflict post-treatment as measured by the Child-Parent Relationship Scale(CPRS; Pianta & Steinberg, 1992). Results demonstrate that Theraplay has a strong potential to be an effective anxiety treatment for both maternal and child anxiety.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

  • Skill and Methods
  • Special Topics

Learning Objectives:
  • Explain the mechanisms through which Theraplay is postulated to have an influence on both maternal and child anxiety.
  • Describe how Theraplay intervention influenced the mothers’ and their children’s anxiety scores.
  • Identify potential benefits of Theraplay as a treatment for families where mothers and children experience clinically significant anxiety.
Speaker(s):