Integrative Play Therapy with Individuals, Families and Groups

Integrative Play Therapy with Individuals, Families and Groups is a complete theory-to-practice introduction to a comprehensive integrative model of play therapy, developed by Shlomo Ariel. It synthesizes numerous concepts, methods and techniques found in the various branches of play theory and research under a unified conceptual and linguistic roof of information-processing, cybernetics and semiotics. The author's tenet is that any case, whatever the presenting difficulties, can be treated by such an integrative, multi-systemic approach. This book abounds with vivid observations and case descriptions, followed by discussions in a fictional inter-disciplinary seminar. Every chapter is followed by a brief summary, homework assignments and a classified list of relevant publications. Integrative Play Therapy with Individuals, Families and Groups will generate immense interest throughout the play therapy community. It can serve as a textbook for budding play therapists and as a reference book for more experienced practitioners.

Shlomo Ariel is an Israeli senior clinical psychologist and family therapist, widely published in his areas of expertise - psychotherapy integration, play research, play therapy and culturally competent psychotherapy. He is an international trainer of therapists in these areas.

Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Part 1: Theoretical and methodological foundations 1. My favorite play therapy mix 2. Apprasing the current state of the art 3. The Diamond Model Part 2: X-Raying make-believe play 4. Play observation techniques 5. Microscopic analysis of observed play 6. Macroscopic analysis on the semantic level 7. Macroscopic analysis of the pragmatic level Part 3: The manifold magic of make-believe play 8. A formal definition of make-believe play 9. Linguistic peculiarities of make-believe play 10. Make-believe play as a vehicle of learning and development 11. Make-believe play as a pacifier 12. The therapeutic powers of play, revisited Part 4: Planning a multi-systemic play therapy 13. Multi-systemic diagnostic evaluation 14. Planning a therapeutic strategy Part 5: How to do it? 15. Conducting a play-therapeutic session 16. Lucy: the girl who created her own father 17. Nadav: a sweet oppositional-defiant boy 18. Play therapy: a reality show 19. Finale List of cases, sessions and observations Index