Table of Contents

About the Authors
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part I: Theory of Play and Play Therapy
Chapter 1. Why Play Therapy? Introduction to the Psychodynamic Treatment of Young Children
Chapter 2. Play, Playfulness, and the Sequence of Play Forms in Development: An Overview of Play in Development
Chapter 3. Pretend Play
Chapter 4. Play in the Digital Age
Chapter 5. Basic Psychodynamic Concepts and Their Use in Play Therapy
Chapter 6. Therapeutic Action and the Multiple Functions of Play Therapy
Chapter 7. Play and Developmental Psychopathology, Deprivation, or Disability
Part II: Technique of Play Therapy
Chapter 8. The Logistics: Planning a Practice and Arranging for Office Space
Chapter 9. Getting Started, Creating an Alliance, and Facilitating Play
Chapter 10. Working With Parents Over the Course of Treatment
Chapter 11. Deepening Play Therapy: Verbalizing Inner States, Expanding Narratives, and Working With Transference and Defense
Chapter 12. Ending Play Therapy and the Process of Termination
Chapter 13. Play Therapy, Variations in Child Development, and Serious Psychopathology
Conclusion
Appendix A: Selected Measures for Play Therapy
Appendix B: Development Form
Appendix C: Narrative School Reports

About the Author

Pamela Meersand, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Director of the Child Division at the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research.

Karen J. Gilmore, M.D., is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Senior Consultant to the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research.