Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Where the program was applied
Country of application
Description

This is a therapy program for children aged three to ten with emotional, behavioral, or relational disorders.
The program follows a structured protocol developed by trained mental health professionals. It uses play techniques and games, enabling a consistent therapeutic relationship and a safe environment where the child can experience empathy and full understanding in order to process internal experiences and feelings.
Although the program is applied in 16-20 weekly sessions lasting 45 minutes each, the model can also be implemented in the school environment, following a format of 16 sessions applied twice a week for 30 minutes.

Impact evaluations

Impact evaluation studies have shown that participation in the program improved general functioning and well-being, with a reduction in anxiety disorders and symptoms, as well as in disruptive and behavioral disorders, but had no significant effects on academic performance and attention deficits [1] [2] [3] [4] [5].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Bratton, S. C., Ceballos, P. L., Sheely-Moore, A. I., Meany-Walen, K., Pronchenko, Y. & Jones, L. D. (2013). Head start early mental health intervention: Effects of child-centered play therapy on disruptive behaviors. International Journal of Play Therapy, 22(1), 28–42. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0030318

[2] Ray, D. C., Schottelkorb, A. & Tsai, M.‑H. (2007). Play therapy with children exhibiting symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. International Journal of Play Therapy, 16(2), 95–111. https://doi.org/10.1037/1555-6824.16.2.95

[3] Ray, D. C., Blanco, P. J., Sullivan, J. M. & Holliman, R. (2009). An exploratory study of child-centered play therapy with aggressive children. International Journal of Play Therapy, 18(3), 162–175. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014742

[4] Ray, D. C., Stulmaker, H. L., Lee, K. R. & Silverman, W. K. (2013). Child-centered play therapy and impairment: Exploring relationships and constructs. International Journal of Play Therapy, 22(1), 13–27. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0030403

[5] Stulmaker, H. L. & Ray, D. C. (2015). Child-centered play therapy with young children who are anxious: A controlled trial. Children and Youth Services Review, 57(2), 127–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.08.005