In this article, I am providing a short list of some of my favorite books for play therapy techniques and interventions you can use with child clients. This is not at all a comprehensive list! But you will find a lot of great information in these I am listing. I hope you’ll enjoy adding these books to your library!

Through this blog, I seek to provide educational and support resources for mental health professionals and anyone interested in personal and professional growth and healing! Many of the resources I provide here and in other places on my blog contain affiliate partnership links that help fund my ability to provide resources and helpful information on this blog. Thanks for reading! 

1.

Play Therapy: Engaging & Powerful Techniques for the Treatment of Childhood Disorders

This book by Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S is a wonderful resource! She provides a variety of play-based activities that address various issues and challenges clients face using simple supplies. Of my favorite books for play therapy techniques and interventions, this one is up there at the top for the diversity of inspiring fun activities you can use with your clients right away. Learn more and purchase HERE.

2.

The Worry Wars: An Anxiety Workbook for Kids and Their Helpful Adults!

If you’ve ever attended any of my play therapy trainings over the years or if you’ve been in supervision with me, you know how much I LOVE this resource. This is one of my FAVORITE books for play therapy techniques and interventions from Paris Goodyear Brown, LCSW, RPT-S who was one of the first trainers I learned from many moons ago who influenced my professional path of using prescriptive play therapy. This book is rich with stories AND interventions for you to use with your clients with anxiety. Learn more and purchase HERE.

3.

Creative Family Therapy Techniques: Play, Art, and Expressive Activities to Engage Children in Family Sessions

Liana Lowenstein, world-known child and family therapist, trainer and author has a whole collection of books and you can learn more about her amazing work and impact on me in this article. This particular book is RICH with play-based and expressive activities when working with children and families and I highly recommend you add this one to your collection. Learn more and purchase HERE.

4.

70 Play Activities for Better Thinking, Self-Regulation, Learning & Behavior

Fun fact: My name used to be Lynn Kenney! But the author of this books is Dr. Lynne Kenney and this book is RICH with worksheets, handouts, and guided scripts with step-by-step directions. These activities in the book were designed to improve thinking, self-regulation, learning and behavior, your tool kit will be full and your creative brain will be inspired to craft your own meaningful exercises. Play now, Play later…with 70 Play Activities for better brain functioning and learning. Learn more and purchase HERE.

5.

2, 4, 6, 8 This is How We Regulate!

Tracy Turner Bumberry, LPC, RPT-S created another one of my all time favorite books for play therapy techniques and interventions focused on mindfulness-based playful techniques for children that are creative and engaging for the purpose for emotional regulation and body awareness. Learn more and purchase HERE.

 

Want to learn MORE play based techniques and strategies for working with children and families? Come take a look at this collection of 20 one hour mini classes with 20 experts in the field of play therapy on various topics that can help your clients. Need case consultation? I’d love to work with you – more info here.