“This book provides the reader with a variety of adaptations that can be made to shorten play therapy for specific populations….Any clinician interested in play therapy would be able to find a few chapters that pertained to a population of interest or specific theoretical orientation….Almost any clinician who frequently utilizes play therapy could find ways to easily implement strategies from the book to effectively treat and shorten the therapy process. In a culture where no one ever seems to feel like they have enough time, this could be seen as very useful for families with children in therapy….Offers effective ideas, resources, and specific interventions for integrating play into therapeutic work with children.”

—Journal of Psychology and Christianity


“Kaduson and Schaefer bring together an impressive group of authors who cover a wide range of play therapy venues. Accordingly, readers are provided multiple and varied theoretical models and ways to apply them in practice....A ‘must’ for both clinicians working with children and families, and for faculty instructing those who will do so in the future.”

—Families in Society (on the first edition)


“This volume offers a great service to professionals who desire effective responses to the clinical demands of treating children and their families....The book thoroughly describes treatment interventions....While the book is designed for the professional who has a working knowledge of various theoretical frameworks, it is thorough enough to be used by a beginning clinician..”

—Social Work With Groups (on the first edition)


“This book has expanded the knowledge base on short-term play therapy. The third edition addresses additional topics of growing interest to clinicians, such as animal-assisted play therapy. This volume is stimulating reading for all professionals working with children, adolescents, and families, as well as students and faculty in child therapy.”

—Louise F. Guerney, PhD, Department of Human Development and Family Studies (Emerita), The Pennsylvania State University


“This book makes an indisputable case for considering short-term interventions with children and their families. It presents a range of different approaches and theoretical perspectives, including several that have been rather neglected in the play therapy literature. Chapters describe ways to work with a variety of populations who could benefit from play therapy. This would be an outstanding textbook for an advanced play therapy class.”

—Terry Kottman, PhD, Director, The Encouragement Zone, Cedar Falls, Iowa


“I love this book and plan to use it in my class. The third edition is an essential contribution to the literature for play therapists in both clinical mental health and school settings. It includes a broad array of theoretical models to work with many childhood disorders. A 'must have' for play therapists and their students.”

—Phyllis Post, PhD, Department of Counseling, University of North Carolina at Charlotte


“A comprehensive and dynamic resource for working with young people facing critical challenges in today’s world. Short-term approaches are particularly salient for professionals in schools or agencies that prioritize time-limited interventions. Written from a place of experience and sensitivity to the nuances of doing play therapy, this book offers insightful, practical examples within a strong literature-based context. It is ideal for a stand-alone course in counseling young people, for an advanced skills course, or as a 'go-to' resource for professionals.”

—Laurie A. Carlson, PhD, Counseling and Career Development Program, Colorado State University