Cultural Issues in Play Therapy

This unique resource is now in an extensively revised second edition with more than 90% new material and an expanded conceptual framework. Filled with rich case illustrations, the book explores how children's cultural identities--as well as experiences of marginalization--shape the challenges they bring to therapy and the ways they express themselves. Expert practitioners guide therapists to build competence for working across different dimensions of diversity, including race and ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. Purchasers get access to a companion website featuring chapters from the first edition on play therapy with major cultural groups: African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans.

New to This Edition
*Virtually a new book; incorporates a broader definition of culture and an increased social justice focus.
*Chapters on working with children of color, LGBT children and adolescents, undocumented families, and Deaf children.
*Chapter on dismantling white privilege in the play therapy office.
*Chapters on school bullying and on how technology is transforming play, including tips for conducting tele-play therapy.

Eliana Gil, PhD, RPT-S, ATS, is a founding partner and senior clinical and research consultant in a private group practice, the Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery and Education, in Fairfax, Virginia. Dr. Gil is an approved marriage and family therapy supervisor; a registered play therapist/supervisor; a registered art therapist; a Circle of Security certified parent educator; and a Level II Theraplay provider. She is a former president of the Association for Play Therapy, which honored her with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Gil is the author of numerous publications on child abuse prevention and treatment. Originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador, she is bilingual and bicultural.
;
Athena A. Drewes, PsyD, RPT-S, is a licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist, and registered play therapist and supervisor. Dr. Drewes is semi-retired in Ocala, Florida. She has over 40 years of clinical and supervision experience with children and adolescents experiencing complex trauma and sexual abuse in school, outpatient, and inpatient settings. She is a past board member of the Association for Play Therapy and a founder and president emeritus of the New York Association for Play Therapy. A frequently invited guest lecturer around the United States and internationally, Dr. Drewes has published 11 books on play therapy.

Introduction: Redefining and Broadening the Definition of Culture, Eliana Gil & Athena A. Drewes
1. Practicing Child-Centered Play Therapy from a Multicultural and Social Justice Framework, Peggy L. Ceballos, Phyllis Post, & Mónica Rodríguez
2. White Privilege, Anti-Racism, and Promoting Positive Change in Play Therapy, Eliana Gil
3. Culturally and Racially Attuned Play Therapy: Toward a Social Justice Approach, Jamila Codrington
4. The Impact of Culture on Expressive Arts Therapy with Children, Cathy A. Malchiodi
5. Exploring Gender and Sexuality Using Play Therapy, Quinn K. Smelser
6. Providing Mental Health Services to Undocumented Families of Color in Our Current Culture, Myriam Goldin & Eliana Gil
7. The Culture of Violence in Schools, Athena A. Drewes
8. Filial Therapy with Hearing-Impaired Children, Cary M. Hamilton & Sarah Moran
9. The Culture of Technology and Play Therapy, Rachel A. Altvater
Appendix A. Resources on Multicultural Play Therapy
Appendix B. Resources on Gender and Sexuality in Play Therapy
Index