ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a unique therapeutic approach to storytelling, called FirstPlay® Kinesthetic Storytelling, for ages two years and up. FirstPlay® Therapy was developed by Janet A. Courtney for two different developmental stages. (The infant model of FirstPlay® Infant Story-Massage for ages birth to three years is presented in Chapter 6 in the “Infant Play Therapy” book.) Because FirstPlay® is a facilitated parent touch-based intervention with its focus on the body, it naturally comes under the umbrella of somatic or body therapies. The foundations of FirstPlay® Kinesthetic Storytelling are Developmental Play Therapy, Ericksonian Play Therapy (StoryPlay®), Filial Play Therapy, Attachment Theory, mindfulness practice, and the research into touch. Additionally, it adapts the peer-to-peer massage in schools program concepts into practice with children and parents. This chapter provides an overview of reactive attachment disorder followed by a case presentation of a child with this diagnosis that demonstrates FirstPlay® Kinesthetic Storytelling in action.
