Resources
For Professionals
Articles and Helpful Materials
Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, & AAPT Information
This page provides information and a variety of ideas that might be of use to play therapists. Most are in the form of brief articles. We try to add new ideas regularly, so please visit again! To access the ideas, simply click on the titles below.
Electronic versions of these papers and chapters are provided as a professional courtesy to ensure timely dissemination of professional work for individual and noncommercial purposes. Copyright and all rights therein reside with the respective copyright holders, as stated with each chapter or article. These files may not be reposted without permission.
Published Articles
Play Therapy & Filial Therapy
Filial Therapy: What Every Play Therapist Should Know – Part One of a Series
Play Therapy: Magazine of the British Association of Play Therapists
2011: Issue 65, pgs 16-19.
Reprinted with the generous permission of the British Association of Play Therapists.
Filial Therapy: What Every Play Therapist Should Know – Part Two of a Series
Play Therapy: Magazine of the British Association of Play Therapists
2011: Issue 66, pgs 7-10.
Reprinted with the generous permission of the British Association of Play Therapists.
Filial Therapy: What Every Play Therapist Should Know – Part Three of a Series
Play Therapy: Magazine of the British Association of Play Therapists
2011: Issue 67, pgs 18-21.
Reprinted with the generous permission of the British Association of Play Therapists.
Roles Play Therapists Play: Post-Disaster Engagement and Empowerment of Survivors
Play Therapy
Volume 4, Issue 4, December 2009.
Reprinted with the generous permission of the Association for Play Therapy.
Animal Assisted Play Therapy ™
What It Means to Be Humane in Animal-Assisted Interventions
VanFleet, R. (2014). What It Means to Be Humane in Animal-Assisted Interventions. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, Fall, 18-20.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
Overcoming Extreme Fear in Unsocialized Dogs: A Participant-Observation Study of the Impact of Safety and Play in a Home Setting
VanFleet, R. (2014). Poster presentation at the International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) Conference in Vienna, Austria, July 20, 2014.
Face Value
VanFleet, R. (2014). Face Value. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, Spring, 20-22.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
I Want a Puppy!
VanFleet, R. (2013). I want a puppy! Psychological News You Can Use, Winter, Pennsylvania Psychological Association.
The Empathic Dog Trainer
VanFleet, R. (2013). The Empathic Dog Trainer. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, Fall, 60-63.
Winner of the 2013 Dog Writers Association of America Friends of Rescue Special Award.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
Falling in Love… with a Dog: How it Changes Our Lives
VanFleet, R. (2012). Falling in Love… with a Dog: How it Changes Our Lives. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog. This 3-part series was published in Nov/Dec 2010, July/Aug 2012, and Sept/Oct 2012. The series is included in its entirety here.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
The Power of Play, Multiplied
VanFleet, Risë and Faa-Thompson, Tracie (2012). The Power of Play, Multiplied. Play Therapy, Magazine of the British Association of Play Therapists. Summer 2012. Vol. 70, 7-10. Cover Article.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the British Association of Play Therapists. All rights are reserved.
That Lazy Owner! That Reactive Dog! The Pitfalls of Labeling Our Clients
VanFleet, R. (2012). That Lazy Owner! That Reactive Dog! The Pitfalls of Labeling Our Clients. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, January/February, 22-24.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
Control, Compassion, and Choices, Part 1 of 2
VanFleet, R. (2011). Control, Compassion, and Choices, Part 1 of 2. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, July/August, 50-53.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
Control, Compassion, and Choices, Part 2 of 2
VanFleet, R. (2011). Control, Compassion, and Choices, Part 2 of 2. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, September/October, 28-33.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
“If You Can’t Say Anything Nice…” A Tale of Three Adages
VanFleet, R. (2011). “If You Can’t Say Anything Nice…” A Tale of Three Adages. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, May/June, 27-28, 33.
Winner of the 2011 Maxwell Award from the Dog Writers Association of America for Best Training/Behavior Article in Any Magazine!
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
The Emotional Dog
VanFleet, R. (2011). The Emotional Dog. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, January/February, 45-47.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
A Case for Using Animal-Assisted Play Therapy
VanFleet, R., & Faa-Thompson, T. (2010). A Case for Using Animal-Assisted Play Therapy. British Journal of Play Therapy, 10, 4-18.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the British Journal of Play Therapy. All rights are reserved.
Walks with Dogs… for the Sake of Kids
VanFleet, R. (2010). Walks with Dogs… for the Sake of Kids. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, September/October, 42-44.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
Farewell to Fido: Helping Children when Their Companion Dog Dies
VanFleet, R. (2010). Farewell to Fido: Helping Children when Their Companion Dog Dies. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, July/August, 51-52.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom: Lessons Learned from a Semi-Feral Dog
VanFleet, R. (2010). Zoom, Zoom, Zoom: Lessons Learned from a Semi-Feral Dog. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, March/April, 26-29.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
Girl Scouts to the Rescue
VanFleet (2010). Girl Scouts to the Rescue! The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, January/February 2010. 41.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
Captivating Kids During Dog Training
VanFleet (2010). Captivating Kids During Dog Training. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, January/February 2010. 38-40.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
Canine-assisted Play Therapy Enhances Emotional Growth
VanFleet, R. (2009). Canine-assisted play therapy enhances emotional growth. National Psychologist, September-October, 11.
This article is used with the generous permission of the National Psychologist.
A Psychologist’s View of Crossover Training: Personal & Professional Reflections
VanFleet, R. (2009). A Psychologist’s View of Crossover Training: Personal & Professional Reflections. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, September/October, 53-55.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
What’s This Dog Doing In My Playroom?
VanFleet, R. (2008). What’s this dog doing in my playroom? Play Therapy, 3 (1), 18-21.
This article was a finalist in the Dog Writers Association of America 2008 competition for best feature in a special interest magazine.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
The Winning Combination of Kids, Canines, and Play
VanFleet, R. (2008). The Winning Combination of Kids, Canines, and Play. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, July/August, 36-38.
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
Engaging Owners Fully in Dog Training: Attitudes and Skills That Work: Part 1
VanFleet, R. (2008). Engaging Owners Fully in Dog Training: Attitudes and Skills That Work: Part 1. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, November/December, pp. 14-16.
Winner of the 2009 Maxwell Award from the Dog Writers Association of America for best magazine series!
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
Engaging Owners Fully in Dog Training: Attitudes and Skills That Work: Part 2
VanFleet, R. (2009). Engaging Owners Fully in Dog Training: Attitudes and Skills That Work: Part 2. The APDT Chronicle of the Dog, January/February 2009 issue, pp. 32-34
Winner of the 2009 Maxwell Award from the Dog Writers Association of America for best magazine series!
The article is posted and made available here by the generous permission of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. All rights are reserved.
A Common Bond: Maltreated Children & Animals in the Home (Guidelines for Practice & Policy)
Published by American Humane, this is an important booklet showing the research-based links between child abuse, domestic violence, and animal abuse. It also describes actions that people and professionals can take to deal with these problems and to prevent them in the future. It has been made available here with the full permission and generosity of American Humane.
Blog Posts
Pandemic Response for Mental Health and Play Therapists – Some Thoughts and Considerations
The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in sudden and significant changes to lifestyle and wellness for vast numbers of people throughout the world. There is heightened anxiety about personal health, the health of loved ones, the health of the greater community, and notable worries about financial impact. During this period of physical distancing and community shut-downs or lock-downs, therapists themselves are being affected as well. There is much talk about telehealth, shifting therapeutic sessions to online formats. The level of stress among therapists is palpable and understandable. Some thoughts from the disaster mental health perspective are shared here for consideration and possible help.
The Concept of Resistance In Therapy: A Reexamination During the COVID-19 Pandemic
While client “resistance” is a topic discussed by therapists in “normal” times, it takes on special significance during times of great stress. This article discusses some of the key factors that can influence client hesitation to engage in therapy during pandemics and other disaster situations, as well as suggestions for therapists to consider resistance as a normal part of the change process. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused large and sudden changes for everyone, including therapists and their clients. This blog discusses how therapists might think about and approach their clients with patience and empathy, even if it means that continuing telehealth therapy is delayed for a while as clients get their feet on the ground.
Case Formulation Guide for Professionals Working with Children and Families
When child and family professionals such as play therapists and family therapists are presented with new cases, there is much to be learned in a short time. Working together with the family, therapists typically review the family’s history and relationships along with the parents’ or family’s reasons for coming. Regardless of theoretical orientation, therapists work with the family to establish treatment goals and an overall plan for moving forward. This can be an overwhelming task for relatively new therapists, and even for experienced therapists when confronted with complex and/or multiple traumas, attachment disruptions, and a multitude of other situations. Where does one start to tease apart the situation to determine which goals represent a starting place? There are no easy answers.
What makes strong families?
In 1985, Nick Stinnett and John DeFrain published the results of an extensive research project designed to learn more about the characteristics that were associated with strong families (Secrets of...
Play Dough Recipe
1 1/2 cups water + 2 Tbs. water 1/2 cup salt 1 tsp. food coloring Mix the ingredients above and put in pan. Heat until it boils. Pour heated mixture over the following flour mixture: Flour...
How to Set Up a Filial Therapy Playroom
What is Filial Therapy? Developed in the early 1960s by Dr. Louise Guerney and Dr. Bernard Guerney, Filial Therapy is a highly effective psychoeducational family intervention in which parents serve...
Helping Parents Develop Their Own Toy Kits in Filial Play Therapy
In Filial Therapy, parents eventually hold play sessions with their children on their own at home. We recommend that they use a separate set of toys for these sessions to help communicate the...
Personal Storytelling
People have engaged in storytelling for centuries, long before recorded history. It's a way to pass along cultural and family practices and values and to create social bonds through a common...
Combining Nondirective and Directive Play Counseling in Schools
School settings present many unique challenges to counselors using play counseling methods. Space and time are often limited. Counselors may work in several schools and therefore must carry their...
Designing Your Own Play Therapy Ideas
While there are many wonderful ideas described in the growing number of play therapy books, it can be both helpful and rewarding to develop your own creativity and spontaneity with play therapy...
Redefining Resistance in Therapy
Client resistance to therapy can pose serious challenges for the mental health professional. One step, among many, that we can take involves examination of our own attitudes about resistance (for a...
Play and Culture
When trying to help parents or other professionals understand play therapy, I've often guided them as they examined how their own culture or subculture has viewed play. Although I'm sure some...
Helping Children and Families Through Traumatic Events
If you go to the Parents' Page of this website, you'll find a section on how parents and caregivers can help children through traumatic events. I've also included there a list of signs to watch...
Filial Therapy Research Outcomes
Filial Therapy was created in the early 1960s by Drs. Bernard and Louise Guerney, and extensively researched and developed by Dr. Louise Guerney and others for the past 40 years. Filial Therapy is...
Gaining Knowledge/ Credentials in Play Therapy
I have posted some information about credentials on the Parents section of this website. The information below is provided to help professionals determine how they can develop their knowledge and...
Play Counseling in Schools
Throughout the U.S., school counselors, especially at the elementary and middle-school levels, are increasingly using play counseling to help students overcome obstacles to learning. One of the...
Help for Fearful Dogs
If your dog is fearful, anxious, or has fear-based aggressive behaviors, there is hope and help! Risë's article below entitled Zoom-Zoom-Zoom: Lessons Learned from a Semi-Feral Dog highlights the...
Kirrie’s Doggie Dictionary
One of the challenges of play therapy work with canines is to ensure that children use the cues, both verbal and nonverbal, with which the dog has been trained. Kathy Sdao, an associate Certified...
Tips for Training a Play Therapy Dog
More information on this topic is available in the Play Therapy with Kids and Canines book that can be purchased in our on-line store. It is important that all dogs receive good training and...
Pets in Play Therapy Research
Dr. VanFleet has conducted a qualitative/survey study of play therapists who use animals in their work. Full results from 83 participants in this 2006-2008 study are now available. Sponsor: Family...
Dominance and Dog Training
Below is the position paper of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers on dominance approaches to dog training. This is a very important issue. It is provided here with the permission of APDT, www.apdt.com.
Teaching LEAVE IT! to a Dog
MESSAGE FROM KIRRIE: Hi Everyone, Here is a picture of me doing Leave It! with cheeseballs! And this note comes with a video of none other than ME!! Leave It is one of the best things you can teach...
Links
Play Therapy
Association for Play Therapy, Inc.
APT is a professional organization based in Fresno, California, dedicated to the advancement of play therapy so that children in need may receive the best possible mental health services. Founded in 1982, APT is an interdisciplinary organization that offers numerous benefits to members, including a journal, newsletter, and member discounts on books, videos, and play therapy materials.
British Association of Play Therapists
Established in 1992, the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT) aims to promote and develop standards of training and practice in Play Therapy, to encourage sharing of information, experience and skills, and to provide a national resource for the general public. BAPT provides support, information and guidance to the general public, as well as professional standard, regulations, and registration for play therapists.
Irish Play Therapy Association
The Irish Play Therapy Association has as its mission a commitment to the clinical, ethical and training needs of therapists and to the facilitation of symbolic play and use of metaphor as an integral component of the therapeutic process in their work with children and adolescents.
Associazione per la Play Therapy Italia
The Associazione per la Play Therapy Italia (APTI) is a professional association in Italy which is grounded on the Association for Play Therapy model. It provides a national base for the promotion of play, play therapy and certified play therapists in Italy. With this mission and other initiatives, APTI aims to contribute to the improvement of the psychosocial well being of individuals as well as of the community itself.
L’Associazione per la Play Therapy Italia (APTI) è un’associazione professionale su base nazionale propone in Italia , su modello dell’APT, la promozione del gioco, della play therapy e di play therapist certificati. Attraverso queste e altre iniziative l’APTI intende contribuire al miglioramento del livello di benessere psicosociale degli individui e della comuntà più estesa.
Animal Assisted Play Therapy ™
International Institute for AAPT Studies
Association of Pet Dog Trainers
AKC Canine Good Citizen Program