This innovative text is the first to illustrate how neuroscience concepts can be translated and applied to counseling with children and adolescents. Drs. Field and Ghoston discuss general principles for child and adolescent counseling before examining neurophysiological development from birth to age 18. They then provide in-session examples of…

The commercial sexual exploitation of children is a growing concern around the world. Education about this concern is a key component to preventing further occurrences. The Committee for Children found few educational models in U.S. schools. School counselors play a significant role in preventing, identifying, and connecting students to community…

The author argues for a functionalist understanding of autism. Instead of explaining autism as an inborn or otherwise neurological deficit, autism may be understood as a functional disturbance: the impairment of the abstract attitude. The abstract attitude is a concept developed by German neuropsychiatrist Kurt Goldstein (1987-1965) to describe…

The urgent need to address the mental health needs of students in the United States has recently gained significant attention in the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic and recent school shootings. Alarmingly, studies show that only one-third of the children suffering from mental health behaviors will receive mental health services, and 80% of…

This article presents the results of a 2-year exploratory case study on the impact of the "flipped" classroom design on generalist and advanced-practice social work skills in a large urban graduate university setting and looks at the role physical space plays in student perceptions of learning outcomes. Quantitative data were obtained…

The author demonstrates that war places children's play under acute stress but does not eliminate it. He argues that the persistence of children's play and games during periods of armed conflict reflects the significance of play as a key mode for children to cope with conditions of war. Episodes of children's play drawn from the recent Syrian…

The growing interest in addressing the mental health needs of Chinese children through play therapy calls for an understanding of the cultural roots and norms of Chinese families. To help professionals succeed in this traditionally Western treatment when providing cross-cultural play therapy, the authors make recommendations concerning the…

The purpose of this study was to explore the outcomes of a group Theraplay® intervention among middle and high school students in a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP). Theraplay® is a play-based, attachment-informed therapeutic approach designed to help individuals form attachments and trusting relationships with others.…

While the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) recommends that occupational therapists (OTs) competently respond to changing environments and new clinical practice and research demands (WFOT, 2012), there are many challenges for therapists to engage in professional development in countries where resources and specialized expertise are…

In 1998, Sturrock and Else introduced the Play Cycle which has been integrated into both playwork theory and practice. An online survey with 157 responses found that playworkers' understanding Play Cycle varied to how they were first introduced to the theory. In addition, understandings of the six elements of the Play Cycle were significantly…

This reflection on practice provides a foundation for understanding the impact of Hurricane Harvey on teachers and children across the Texas Gulf Coast. It also documents the emergence of a professional development initiative born when early childhood teacher educators in the community outreach arm of a major university sought to provide immediate…

Background: Pediatric cancer treatments interfere with the patient's life on physical, psychological, and social levels. Hospital Clowns (HCs) use nonpharmacological techniques to reduce the distress that hospital treatments can cause and increase children's wellbeing, but few studies have analyzed their effects. Objective: This study examined the…

The communication process between care providers and children can, at times, be complex. Young children typically lack the verbal language necessary for complex emotional expression. In this article, the authors contend that using some basic "child centered play therapy" (CCPT) techniques would be beneficial in enhancing communicative…

The current study utilized a single-group pretest-posttest design to evaluate students' self-perceived competence and comfort of using a variety of play therapy techniques and interventions with a range of client populations as a result of taking a one-week intensive course in Play Therapy. In an effort to conduct course evaluation and explore…

School counselors are charged with meeting the academic and personal/social needs of all students. Aggression can have a significantly negative effect on both areas in the school environment. It is imperative that these aspects are addressed in culturally and developmentally appropriate ways. Creative approaches based in play and art can be…