Essentials of Play Therapy with Abused Children

This informative video program from renowned practitioner and author Eliana Gil illuminates the unique benefits of play therapy for children who have been physically or sexually abused. Sharing her warmth and clinical insight, Dr. Gil brings viewers into the therapeutic playroom, describes how play activities fit into the reparative process, and provides helpful pointers for practice. With the help of child volunteers, the video demonstrates the use of art supplies, the sandtray, puppets, the dollhouse, masks, and more. Dr. Gil also discusses ways to allay children's fears about therapy and establish a good working rapport.

Eliana Gil, PhD, is Director of the Starbright Training Institute for Child and Family Play Therapy and dedicates some of her time to providing intensive courses on assessment and treatment of child abuse. She also works at the Multicultural Clinical Center in Springfield, Virginia, where she is developing The Children’s Corner to provide mental health services for young children with a range of problems, including child maltreatment. Dr. Gil has focused her work on helping sexually abused children and their families for the past 33 years in California, Maryland, and Virginia. She teaches courses on child maltreatment, play therapy, and family therapy at Virginia Tech. Originally from Ecuador, she is bilingual and bicultural.