The Therapeutic Powers of Play: Comparing Theories and Practice
Athena A. Drewes · Edward (Franc) Hudspeth
Nov 2025 · Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Ebook
456
Pages
infoThis book will become available on November 13, 2025. You will not be charged until it is released.
About this ebook
There is no current, up-to-date single text that offers beginners and seasoned clinicians a clear direction in how to conceptualize and interweave the therapeutic powers of play through the lens of a specific seminal theory using a single case study uniformly across chapters.
This book looks to fill the gap by offering an up-to-date edition for use by university professors of child and play therapists, training directors, agency and clinic supervisors, as well as private practice supervisors and supervisees wishing to obtain a clear and deeper understanding of the therapeutic powers of play and its relationship to seminal theories. It is a much-needed book that synthesizes the Therapeutic Powers of Play and Play Therapy theories on a level not seen before.
This edited book will be a combination of chapters written by the co-editors and invited chapter authors who are renowned in the field of play therapy. Each chapter author will be given one specific case study, for uniformity across all chapters, for comparison. The chapter author will address in detail how their specific theoretical approach would view and integrate the therapeutic powers of play within treatment. This edition is unique in its inclusion of timely chapters addressing the foundations and the seminal theoretical approaches used in play therapy and the nuts and bolts of integration of the therapeutic powers of play for a treatment approach. Readers will have the opportunity to compare across the seminal theories the commonalities and differences of conceptualization and practice implementation.
This book looks to fill the gap by offering an up-to-date edition for use by university professors of child and play therapists, training directors, agency and clinic supervisors, as well as private practice supervisors and supervisees wishing to obtain a clear and deeper understanding of the therapeutic powers of play and its relationship to seminal theories. It is a much-needed book that synthesizes the Therapeutic Powers of Play and Play Therapy theories on a level not seen before.
This edited book will be a combination of chapters written by the co-editors and invited chapter authors who are renowned in the field of play therapy. Each chapter author will be given one specific case study, for uniformity across all chapters, for comparison. The chapter author will address in detail how their specific theoretical approach would view and integrate the therapeutic powers of play within treatment. This edition is unique in its inclusion of timely chapters addressing the foundations and the seminal theoretical approaches used in play therapy and the nuts and bolts of integration of the therapeutic powers of play for a treatment approach. Readers will have the opportunity to compare across the seminal theories the commonalities and differences of conceptualization and practice implementation.
About the author
Dr. Athena A. Drewes is a licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist and Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor. Formerly Director of Training and Director of the American Psychological Association Doctoral Psychology Internship at Astor Services for Children and Families in New York. She currently is semi-retired and lives in Ocala, FL. She has over 45 years of clinical and supervision experience with complex trauma, sexual abuse, foster care children and adolescents, in school, outpatient and inpatient settings. She is former Board of Director of the Association for Play Therapy and Founder and President Emeritus of the NY Association for Play Therapy. She is a frequently invited guest lecturer around the United States and internationally around the world, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, England, Ireland, Italy, Mexico and Taiwan. She has is renowned writer on play therapy and has published numerous book chapters, journal articles and edited/co-edited twelve play therapy.
Edward Franc Hudspeth is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor, and Registered Pharmacist. He is Coordinator and Clinical Associate Professor of the Ed.S. in Counselor Education-Play Therapy Emphasis, in the School of Education, at the University of Mississippi. He served as Editor of International Journal of Play Therapy for 10 years and served on the Association for Play Therapy's Foundation for Play Therapy Board of Directors for 10 years. He now serves on the Association for Play Therapy's governing Board of Directors. He is a recipient of the Association for Play Therapy's Service Award and President's Award.
Edward Franc Hudspeth is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor, and Registered Pharmacist. He is Coordinator and Clinical Associate Professor of the Ed.S. in Counselor Education-Play Therapy Emphasis, in the School of Education, at the University of Mississippi. He served as Editor of International Journal of Play Therapy for 10 years and served on the Association for Play Therapy's Foundation for Play Therapy Board of Directors for 10 years. He now serves on the Association for Play Therapy's governing Board of Directors. He is a recipient of the Association for Play Therapy's Service Award and President's Award.
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