NCJ Number
155455
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (1995) Pages: 1-20
Date Published
1995
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews the rationale for both nondirective and focused approaches to play therapy and discusses why nondirective therapy alone may be ineffective in treating sexually abused children and abuse-reactive children.
Abstract
A prescriptive approach is proposed that combines the rapport building component of nondirective play therapy with focused techniques (cognitive-behavioral therapy, metaphors, bibliotherapy, and art therapy). The authors discuss how this integrated approach can meet the therapeutic needs of sexually abused and abuse-reactive children. They conclude that nondirective and focused therapy approaches are not mutually exclusive and that both nondirective and focused interventions are necessary to help sexually abused and abuse-reactive children. Therapeutic needs of sexually abused and abuse-reactive children are discussed, as well as the use of nondirective and focused therapy in clinical practice. 51 references