counseling children through the world of play

If we are to touch the hearts of hurting children, we must enter their world, the world of play. Play therapy honors children by meeting them in their world. Children say with toys what they have difficulty saying with words. Toys become the play therapist’s tools to help unlock the healing process for wounded children. Whether you are a psychologist, a social worker, a family therapist, a pastoral counselor, a group-home worker, or a children’s ministry worker, this book will help you build relationships that minister to the souls of hurting children and bring understanding to the confusion of their pain. Through these nurturing relationships, children will be freed to understand and process emotional pain.

Daniel Sweeney is Associate Professor and Clinical Director of the NW Center for Play Therapy Studies in the Graduate Department of Counseling, George Fox University, Portland Oregon.