Integrating Expressive Arts and Play Therapy with Children and Adolescents: A Guidebook for Mental Health Practitioners and Educators

Clinicians certified in the expressive art therapies the visual arts, movement, drama, music, writing and other creative processes are typically unfamiliar with some of the interventions and approaches used in play therapy.

This book bridges the divide between play therapy and expressive arts therapy, so that therapists in each field can integrate evidence-informed practices from both expressive arts and play therapy into their practice with children and adolescents.

Play therapists as well as those who specialise in expressive arts therapies, as well as mental health professionals looking to integrate both into their practice will benefit from this books exposure to the diverse and innovative approaches within the expressive arts and play therapy literature.

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Table of Contents

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xv

About the Editors xvii

About the Contributors xix

1 The Expressive Arts Therapy Continuum History and Theory 1 - Sandra L. Graves-Alcorn and Eric J. Green

• Introduction 1
• Media Dimension Variables 3
• Discerning Rationale 14
• References 15

2 Play Therapy 17 - Athena A. Drewes and Sue C. Bratton

• Introduction 17
• Rationale for Play Therapy 18
• History and Development 18
• Empirical Support 23
• Procedures and Application 24
• Conclusion 34
• Specialized Training and Resources 35
• References 36

3 Art Therapy 41 - Reina Lombardi

• Introduction 41
• Art Therapy Theory 42
• Research 48
• Art Therapy Process and Procedures 50
• Practical Techniques 53
• Conclusion 59
• Specialized Training and Resources 60
• References 61

4 Drama Therapy 67 - Eleanor Irwin

• Introduction 67
• Drama Therapy Process and Procedures 69
• Blending DramaTheatre and Therapy in NADTA 72
• Effects of Attachment and a Nurturing Environment on the Ability to Work and Play 75
• Drama Therapy Techniques 78
• Drama Therapy Techniques With Different Ages 81
• Conclusion 89
• Specialized Training and Resources 90
• References 97

5 Integrating Play Therapy and Sandplay Therapy 101 - Rie Rogers Mitchell, Harriet S. Friedman, and Eric J. Green

• Introduction 101
• Therapeutic Play 102
• Sandplay in a Play Therapy Setting 104
• Conclusion 118
• Specialized Training and Resources 119
• References 123

6 Working With Children Using DanceMovement Therapy 125 - Mariah Meyer LeFeber

• Introduction 125
• DanceMovement Therapy Process and Procedures 126
• Case Studies 136
• Conclusion 143
• Specialized Training and Resources 143
• References 146

7 Music Therapy 149 - Susan Hadley and Nicole Steele

• Introduction 149
• Music Therapy Process and Procedures 153
• Music Therapy Methods 155
• Practical Techniques for Nonspecialists 165
• Conclusion 173
• Specialized Training and Resources 173
• References 178

8 The Therapeutic Uses of Photography in Play Therapy 181 - Robert Irwin Wolf

• Introduction 181
• Historical Overview 183
• Photography as a Therapeutic Modality The Power of the Image 184
• The Importance of the Unconscious 185
• The Range of Processing Visual Metaphors 186
• A Note of Caution 186
• Technological Update 188
• Special Considerations of Confidentiality 190
• Suggestions for Creative Project Directives 191
• Detailed Digital Editing Directions for More Advanced Projects 195
• Case Studies Clinical and Creative Uses of Photography 198
• Conclusion 201
• Specialized Training and Resources 201
• References 202

9 Poetry Therapy 205 - Diane L. Kaufman, Rebecca C. Chalmers, and Wendy Rosenberg

• Introduction 205
• Poetry Therapy Process and Procedures 207
• Practical Techniques and Case Studies 215
• Conclusion 222
• Specialized Trainings and Resources 223
• References 227

10 Integrating Play and Expressive Art Therapy Into Educational Settings A Pedagogy for Optimistic Therapists 231 - Jodi M. Crane and Jennifer N. Baggerly

• Introduction to Creative Experiential Learning 231
• Preparation 233
• Process 238
• Activities 241
• CEL Classroom Scenario 247
• Conclusion 248
• References 249

11 Integrating Play and Expressive Art Therapy Into Small Group Counseling With Preadolescents A Humanistic Approach 253 - Sue C. Bratton, Dalena Dillman Taylor, and Sinem Akay

• Introduction 253
• Integrating Play and Expressive Art Therapy Into Small Group Counseling with Preadolescents Process and Procedures 257
• Practical Application 264
• Conclusion 278
• References 278

12 Integrating Play and Expressive Art Therapy Into Communities A Multimodal Approach 283 - Julia Byers

• Introduction 283
• Context 285
• School Community Response 288
• Shattered Worldview 289
• Expressive Therapies Haven 292

References 300

Author Index 303

Subject Index 311

"With this book Drs. Green and Drewes have filled an important void in the Play Therapy literature, namely the integration of the expressive arts in play therapy with children and adolescents. They have assembled the best theorists and practitioners of the Expressive Arts and given them an appropriate structure to write their chapters. The book is outstanding and provides the readers with in-depth case studies, detailed methodologies, research findings and is a useful resource for further training options. I recommend this book most highly for trainers, practitioners and graduate students."
- John Allan, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Counseling Psychology, University of British Columbia; Author, Inscapes of the Child's World