Play-Based Disaster and Crisis Intervention: Roles of Play Therapists in Promoting Recovery

A chapter written by Anne L. Stewart, Lennis G. Echterling, and Claudio Mochi (The Guilford Press, 2015)

The chapter describes the contributions play therapists can offer in crisis and disaster intervention programs. The authors begin by highlighting the research on the psychological impact of disasters and providing a conceptual framework that integrates the concept of resilience and attachment theory.

Next, they discuss the challenges that confront play therapists in crisis and disaster interventions. They then provide an overview of the roles that they can fulfill as vital members of disaster response teams. Finally, they conclude the chapter by offering practical, play-based techniques that play therapists can use in any of the roles they may serve in disaster intervention—consultant, trainer, supervisor, or therapist—under circumstances that are dramatically different from the usual play therapy office.

Readers may be surprised to find that they can adapt these play therapy activities to creatively address needs during virtually any phase of the disaster recovery process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

More information is available at https://www.amazon.com/Play-Therapy-Comprehensive-Practice-Creative/dp/1462526446