Practical and effective tools to tailor approaches to the specific needs of the child
Lorri Yasenik and Ken Gardner are co-directors of the Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, an accredited training institute founded in 1996 that offers experiential learning opportunities, integrating play therapy theory and practice. Lorri is a certified play therapist, and a founding member and former executive board member of the Alberta Play Therapy Association. She has presented nationally and internationally in the areas of play therapy, child psychotherapy, attachment, family violence, high conflict divorce and family mediation, and her PhD study is in the area of 'The Voice of the Child in Legal Matters'. Ken is a Clinical Psychologist and a Certified Play Therapy Supervisor. He is a past executive board member of the Canadian Association for Child Psychotherapy and Play Therapy, and has been a clinical practitioner for over 24 years. He is a former teacher of young children with special needs, and provides consultation to early intervention services as well as to therapists, schools, case managers and families. Ken has presented nationally and internationally on a wide range of topics related to play therapy and play-based interventions.
Similar to the Medicine Wheel's four aspects of human nature
(mental, emotional, physical and spiritual), the circular diagram
of Lorri and Ken's model is divided into four quadrants: Active
Utilization, Open Discussion and Exploration, Non-intrusive
Responding and Co-facilitation. Of particular importance to me, is
the inclusive philosophy that all approaches to play therapy can be
conceptualized within the four quadrants. With this essential
philosophy threaded throughout the book and online content, it is
clear that the Play Therapy Dimensions Model is designed so
therapists can open doors between the quadrants thereby accessing
multiple ways of interacting with children in any given
session.
*from the Foreword by Joyce C. Mills, author and Director of the
StoryPlay Center and Co-director of the Phoenix Institute of
Ericksonian Therapy*
Play Therapists have finally obtained a model of conceptualizing
treatment and supervision that allows for a creative and flexible
approach to be integrative in meeting the needs of their clients.
So reader, be prepared for the "Play Therapy Dimensions Model" to
become a much-used tool in your treatment and supervision. Sit back
and enjoy!
*from the Foreword by Athena A. Drewes, PsyD, RPT-S, Director of
Clinical Training and APA-Accredited Doctoral Internship, Astor
Services for Children and Families, Middletown, NY*
Play Therapy Dimensions Model is the most brilliant contribution to
the play therapy literature published in the last 10 years. Read
this book if you want to (a) learn about play therapy, (b) deepen
your understanding about how and why play therapy works, and/or (c)
become more intentional and efficacious in your therapeutic work
with children.
*Terry Kottman, Ph.D., LMHC, NCC, Registered Play
Therapist-Supervisor and Director, The Encouragement Zone, Cedar
Falls, Iowa, USA*
[this book] provide[s] both novice and seasoned clinicians with
a[n]...invaluable framework, and excellent resources, to
conceptualize the multi-dimensional practice of play therapy and
inform decision-making...All play therapy training courses should
include this book on their required reading lists.
*Eileen Prendiville, CEO and Course Director of the Master of Arts
in Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy and Play Therapy,
Children's Therapy Centre, Ireland*
I am fascinated by the clinical basis and multi-dimensional
framework that the Play Therapy Dimensions Model provided me as a
play therapy practitioner, particularly the understanding of the
child's uniqueness, as well as the dynamics of psychic movement
during the play session. Furthermore, I acquired a profound and
flexible view of the therapist's role and accompanying skills for
tuning in to and addressing the child's unmet needs. Through the
case discussions, I have come to realize the importance of
underlying change mechanisms in the process of play therapy, and
the utility of the Play Therapy Dimensions Model tracking tools and
forms for assessment purposes.
*Dr Amjed Abojedi, Psychology Department, Al-Ahilyya Ammann
University, Amman, Jordan*
Lorri and Ken's Play Therapy Dimension Model fills a gap in the
literature for clinicians who work from an integrative approach to
play therapy. They provide a systematic and process-oriented
framework for tailoring treatment approach to clients' needs and to
aid therapists in identifying and assessing therapeutic movement
within and across sessions.
*Sue C. Bratton, Professor and Director, Center for Play Therapy,
University of North Texas*
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