Research Guides: Play Therapy: Topic Guide

What is Play Therapy?

Play Therapy: Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology
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Succinct overview of play therapy with references to scholarly literature including some evidence-based sources.

Play Therapy: Encyclopedia or Social Work
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Play therapy entry in Encyclopedia of Social Work. Includes overview of the development of play therapy, different therapeutic approaches, current issues pertaining to social work practice, and references to scholarly literature.
Play Therapy Makes a Difference
Introductory webpage from the Association for Play Therapy addressing the most frequently asked questions about play therapy
Tripod Books
Books in Tripod on play therapy

"Play Therapy" is an official index term in both PsycINFO and MEDLINE/PubMed.

PsycINFO
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Use term SU.EXACT("Play Therapy")
Includes PsycARTICLES journals.
PubMed
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Use term "Play Therapy"[MeSH]

Counseling and Therapy in Video
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Contains many streaming videos on play therapy. Try searching "play therapy" in quotes.
Contains volumes I-IV.

PubMed
Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case reports, randomized controlled trials, literature reviews, and practice guidelines on play therapy
PsycINFO
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Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and literature reviews on play therapy
Trip Database
Searches for evidence-based sources across multiple databases
National Guideline Clearinghouse
A public resource for evidence-based practice guidelines from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services' AHRQ
Association for Play Therapy Practice Guidelines
"APT endorses play therapy best practices and offers a paper on touch to assist play therapy practitioners, supervisors, and instructors."