Linking Parents to Play Therapy

Effectively involved parents make play therapy more productive for the child. Yet, encouraging parental involvement can be riddled with practical and theoretical questions for beginning therapists and seasoned practitioners alike. Designed to be a practical guide for the play therapist this study includes: coverage of legal and medical issues; pragmatic assignments for parents; guidelines for working with angry and resistant parents; a listing of state protective and advocacy agencies; and tips for working with managed care. Numerous case examples, professional forms, and a parenting guide facilitate application of the concepts. The book combines theoretical understanding with a variety of techniques to make working with parents possible, practical, and productive.

"The absence of detailed information about how to work with parents has been a missing link in play therapy literature. This book fills in the gap and will make the play therapist's professional life with parents less stressful, more efficient, and more effective, the result of a sensitive, caring, and insightful parent-therapist relationship." -- Garry Landreth, Director, Center for Play Therapy, University of North Texas, Denton"The book starts with initial contact with parents, discusses developmental issues and then identifies legal and ethical issues of therapy. Medical issues in therapy are explored, followed by parent profiles, working with angry parents, meetings between parents and therapists, and a good discussion of special issues." -- The Rev. Dr. Richard B. Gilbert, Resources Hotline

Deborah Killough McGuire, M.Ed., is a licensed professional counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, and registered play therapist-supervisor in private practice in Dallas, Texas.Donald E. McGuire, Ph.D., is a licensed professional counselor also in private practice in Dallas, Texas.