ABSTRACT

The Handbook of Medical Play Therapy and Child Life brings together the voices and clinical experiences of dedicated clinical practitioners in the fields of play therapy and child life. This volume offers fresh insights and up to date research in the use of play with children, adolescents, and families in medical and healthcare settings. Chapters take a strength-based approach to clinical interventions across a wide range of health-related issues, including autism, trauma, routine medical care, pending surgeries both large and small, injury, immune deficiency, and more. Through its focus on the resiliency of the child, the power of play, and creative approaches to healing, this handbook makes visible the growing overlap and collaboration between the disciplines of play therapy and child life. 

part I|54 pages

Medical Play in a Variety of Settings

chapter 2|19 pages

Preschoolers’ Health Care Play

Children Demonstrating Their Health Literacy

chapter 3|17 pages

Caring for Children With Cystic Fibrosis in a Hospital Setting in Australia

The Space Where Play and Pain Meet

part II|73 pages

Medical Play With Unique Health Challenges

part III|64 pages

The Role of Medical Play in Childhood Medical Trauma

chapter 10|19 pages

Regaining Control

Utilizing Directive Play Therapy to Help Teens With Chronic Health Conditions

part IV|41 pages

The Use of Medical Play With Terminal Illness in Children

chapter 12|16 pages

It’s All About the Living

Play-Based Experiences With Children Facing End of Life

part V|61 pages

Medical Play Therapy Through a Systemic Lens

chapter 14|20 pages

Family-Oriented Treatment of Childhood Chronic Medical Illness

The Power of Play in Filial Therapy

chapter 15|19 pages

Play Partners

Incorporating Parents Into Medical Play Practices

part VI|76 pages

Expressive-Creative Research-Driven Practice

chapter 16|15 pages

Medical Makers

Therapeutic Play Using “Loose Parts”

chapter 17|15 pages

With Plush Toys, It Hurts Less

The Effect of a Program to Promote Play to Reduce Children’s Postsurgical Pain

chapter 18|22 pages

Playing With Biofeedback

A Practical, Playful Approach to Using Biofeedback in Pediatric Health

chapter 19|22 pages

The Future Is Now

Using Humanoid Robots in Child Life Practice