Publications

     


New! 2013 - Co-authored Publication on Play Therapy Models & Family Therapy 

THIS TEXT BOOK FOR STUDENTS AND PRACTITIONERS WILL PROVIDE OVERVIEWS

OF FAMILY, PLAY AND NARRATIVE THERAPY MODELS AND TOOLS

New! 2014 - Co-authored Article

Chapter - Spirituality and Psychotherapy: How does Play Therapy Around the World and Research Fit Together?















INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLAY THERAPY, JULY 2009
A Naturalistic Study of the Early Relationship Development Process of Non-Directive Play Therapy



 

Nancy Riedel Bowers


Abstract

In this study the naturalisitic method of qualitative research (Lincoln and Guba, 1985) was applied to the study of the early relationship development process (ERDP) of non-directive play therapy.  The analyses of individual and focus group meetings with play therapists in Canada and Holland as well as from videotapes from the same settings resulted in the emergence of six themes: description, qualities, goals, therapeutic support, process and indicators of growth. These themes, which are presented in the voices of the participants, together with the literature review, serve to enrich the description of ERDP. The data suggested that play provides an environment of safety, creativity and privacy when careful preparation for therapy from outside supports such as family, caregivers and school settings takes place. With this in place, the child is able to share his or her narrative developing a sense of empowerment, a better sense of self-actualization, a language and a voice all facilitated by the early relationship with the play therapist. In addition, new information emerged from the analyses of video tapes acquired from the same two settings suggesting that there is a propensity for children to find comfort play when permitted to freely discover the play room.

                   

A Journey Within a Journey - A Naturalistic Study of the Early Relationship Development Process of Non-directive Play Therapy (PhD Dissertation - Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Social Work 2001)
available upon request

 101 Play Therapy Techniques - "Garbage Pail of Feelings": this technique speaks to awareness of feelings and dumping them in a garbage pail to ‘let them go’

Canadian Encyclopedia of Social Work - A description of ‘qualitative research’ and other areas are provided

101 Social Work Techniques - THE HISTORY OF PLAY THERAPY, DESCRIPTION OF MODELS AND CASE EXAMPLES ARE PROVIDED (Nancy Riedel Bowers & Anna Lee Bowers)