Although play therapy (PT) has a high index of acceptance in Japan, Japanese practitioners are extremely underrepresented in extant surveys of play therapists (PTs). As a result, little is known about their unique characteristics, education/training, practices, and perceptions. To fill this gap, a modified replication of past PT survey research was conducted in Japan. The responses of 333 child-focused mental health professionals in Japan reveal that most participants are female, hold master’s degrees, and have certifications as clinical psychologists. They are likely to work in an educational or hospital setting, on a part-time basis. During their training, a majority of participants completed PT coursework, but had disproportionately few hours of supervision. Most respondents (80%) use more than one theoretical approach. The most frequently endorsed primary approaches are child-centered, psychodynamic, or eclectic. PT in Japan is most commonly used to treat school-related, social skills, and familial concerns. A majority (77.9%)of PTs perceive their work as helpful or very helpful . Four-level, within group ANOVAs revealed statistically significant main effects for differences in both therapists’ use and effectiveness ratings of psychodynamic, child-centered, CBT, and BT approaches, with CBT used less and regarded as less effective than other methods. Compared to results of prior surveys, PTs in Japan work in settings other than private practice, receive less training/supervision in CBT, and focus on somewhat different clinical issues. Findings support the need to bolster training and supervision opportunities and develop PT approaches to target the unique clinical issues Japanese PTs address.

Sudo, H., Shelby, J., Kuniyoshi, T., Ishitani, S., Tsuruta, H., & Kobayashi, T. (2023). Play therapists in Japan: Training, methods, practices, and perceptions. International Journal of Play Therapy, 32(4), 218–229. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000205

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

Cultural and Social Diversity
Seminal and Historically Significant Theories

Janine Shelby PhD, Psychologist, RPT-S

Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, University of California Los Angeles

Appearances