Research in Play Therapy

Meta-Analytic Research Studies

“Child-centered play therapy (CCPT) is the most thoroughly researched theoretical approach in the field of play therapy” (p. 379).

Successful outcomeso Externalizing problemso Combined externalizing/internalizing problemso Parental relationshipo Statistically significant at 11-18 sessions

Meta-Analytic Research Studies

LeBlanc and Ritchie (2001) and Bratton, Ray, Rhine, and Jones (2005)o Individual CCPT is effectiveo Filial therapy (CPRT) is effectiveo Effect sizes were larger when paraprofessionals were parents

and therapists were trained and supervised by Landreth or Bratton

o Improvements in other areas• Self-concept• Social adjustment• Personality• Anxiety• Adaptive functioning• Family functioning

o Age and gender not significant predictors

Cross-Cultural Child-Centered Play Therapy Research

Hispanic children Israeli children Chinese children Puerto Rican children African American children Japanese children Kenyan children Iranian children

Cross-Cultural Child-Parent Relationship Therapy Research Chinese parents Korean parents German parents Israeli parents Native American parents African American parents Hispanic parents

FINAL SUMMING UP

“Child-centered play therapy is the most thoroughly researched theoretical model in the field of play therapy, and the results are unequivocal in demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach” (p. 403).o Multiple settingso Wide range of presenting problems