Attachment Centered Play Therapy offers clinicians a holistic, play-based approach to child and family therapy that is presented through the lens of attachment theory. Along the way, chapters explore the theoretical underpinnings of attachment theory to provide a foundational understanding of the theory while also supplying evidence-based interventions, practical strategies, and illuminative case studies. This informative new resource strives to combine theory and practice in a single intuitive model designed to maximize the child-parent relationship, repair attachment wounds, and address underlying symptoms of trauma.
Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Attachment Therapy Defined Chapter 2: Attachment Centered Play Therapy Defined Chapter 3: Developmental Attachment Needs along the Attachment Spectrum Chapter 4: Understanding Attachment Ruptures and Wounds Chapter 5: Upside Down and Inside Out: The Impact of Divorce on Attachment Chapter 6: Broken Pieces: The Impact of Death, Grief, and Loss on Attachment Chapter 7: Worlds Apart – The Impact of Separation on Children and Families Chapter 8: When the Bough Breaks: The Impact of Complex Trauma on Parent-Child Attachment Chapter 9: More Than Sticks and Stones: The Impact of Emotional Abuse and Neglect on Attachment Chapter 10: Inviting the Parents into Play Therapy: The How’s, Why’s, and Ways Appendix Index
Biography
Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S, is a sought-after international speaker, author, and child psychotherapist. In addition to being an experienced play therapist and presenter, she frequently appears on local and national media as an expert on children and family issues.
"A prescriptive integrative model of play therapy that tailors the intervention to the needs of both parent and child. This excellent treatment guide is rich in cutting-edge theory, practical techniques, and illustrative case examples. I strongly recommend this book for new and experienced clinicians alike!"
Charles Schaefer, PhD, RPT-S, co-founder and director emeritus, the Association for Play Therapy, Clovis, CA
"In this gem of a book, Clair Mellenthin presents Attachment Centered Play Therapy, an integrative model rooted in attachment theory helping clinicians understand the importance of focusing on attachment as the foundation for working with clients, while viewing the family as the ‘client’. Filled with research, stories, inspiration, and interventions designed to guide families back to each other and their hearts, this much-needed book deserves to be on every play therapist's shelf."
Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S, creator of Synergetic Play Therapy and founder and president of the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute, Boulder, CO
