A Playful Approach to Restoration Therapy

Book excerpt: This accessible guide provides family and play therapists with an innovative method for addressing maladaptive emotional behavior in vulnerable children, helping them develop a practical understanding of how to diagnose, treat, and help children move from pain to peace. Drawing from Frigaard’s years of experience, this book presents the scientific model behind restoration play therapy and anticipates the multiple directions that healing and recovery might take. This guide combines creative and directive approaches to collaborative play with the vision to create deep-rooted change in clients. Including step-by-step session plans as well as introducing metaphorical "coping characters", Brutus the Blaming Badger, Sharla the Shameful Sheep, Contessa the Controlling Cow and Eddie the Escape Goat, the chapters encourage a therapeutic play environment that draws upon accessible techniques, empowering children to regain control of their responses to emotional pain. By moving between a framework of practical insight and its creative application, this text ensures therapists engage with clients where they are and build empathetic relationships with them. This book is invaluable reading for family and play therapists as well as other mental health professionals that work with children. The book encourages parents and educators to be part of the healing process, and they can also use the techniques with the children in their lives.