ABSTRACT
This chapter is about the value of play, in parent/child interactions and in the therapeutic space. It references classic psychoanalytic theories about early infant/caregiver interactions, e.g. Stern and Winnicott, as well as more contemporary theory, e.g. Jennings. The author examines different types of play, including the popularity of online gaming and the enduring appeal of traditional board games. Clinical vignettes illustrate how play and playfulness can be used within psychotherapy sessions with children and young people of all ages to explore their internal world, fears, fantasies, feelings and real-world experiences.
