Prescriptive Play Therapy

“This book brings together the voices and rich clinical experiences of a highly respected, well-known, and extensively published team of play therapy experts….The book is a timely, relevant, and useful volume whose strength and utility lie in its well-informed, empirically supported, box-of-chocolates approach to guiding—rather than directing—clinicians. There is something for everyone, especially so for those clinicians willing and ready to embrace the value and significance of a prescriptive approach to play therapy.”

—American Journal of Play


“This comprehensive work brings prescriptive play therapy center stage as a useful and viable model for treating many childhood disorders. Prevailing manualized therapies often fail to address the needs of the individual—but this book demonstrates ways to address individuality while being integrative and multimodal. For practicing play therapists, the volume provides a foundation for implementing prescriptive play therapy across disorders. For play therapy educators, it is well suited as a supplementary text in Advanced Play Therapy and special topics courses.”

—Edward F. Hudspeth, PhD, NCC, LPC-S, ACS, RPT-S, RPh, Associate Dean of Counseling Programs, Southern New Hampshire University


“Kaduson and colleagues have assembled a group of experts to give the reader a deep understanding of prescriptive play therapy and its clinical application to an array of childhood disorders. The authors provide a wealth of information to help clinicians select interventions based on treatment need. Each chapter offers step-by-step details for implementation, brought to life through case vignettes. This book is a ‘must read’ for both professionals and students.”

—Sue C. Bratton, PhD, Professor Emerita of Counseling and Director Emerita, Center for Play Therapy, University of North Texas


“Kaduson, Cangelosi, and Schaefer provide a wonderful explanation of the theoretical integration involved in the prescriptive approach. Each chapter beautifully highlights the application of prescriptive play therapy through case illustrations, removing the veil from this client-driven approach. Readers will appreciate the discussion of the therapeutic powers of play that are core to all theoretical orientations. Child and play therapists will benefit from this contribution to the field, as will students of play therapy.”

—Renee Turner, PhD, LPC-S, RPT/S, Professional Counseling Program, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor


“Prescriptive play therapists recognize that in a field that so often focuses on differential diagnosis, there is an equally important need to focus on differential therapeutics. The editors and contributors are pioneers in play therapy who show that ‘integrative’ and ‘eclectic’ are not negative terms, but fundamental elements in the treatment process. Because children are unique, the treatment process needs to be tailored, specific, and individualized, as well as theory based. Prescriptive Play Therapy is relevant and timely, and should be on the shelves of both clinicians and educators.”

—Daniel S. Sweeney, PhD, LMFT, LPC, RPT-S, Professor of Counseling and Director, Northwest Center for Play Therapy Studies, George Fox University


“This multifaceted book shows readers the value of seeing beyond one theoretical perspective so that a full range of interventions can be considered when working with children. Chapters explore how to combine approaches to provide high-quality, individualized care. I strongly recommend this book for all levels of play and child therapists and counselors who want to nourish their professional growth.”

—Joyce C. Mills, PhD, LMFT, RPT-S, Founder, StoryPlay® Global Certification Training Program, Phoenix, Arizona; Co-Director, Phoenix Institute for Ericksonian Psychotherapy