Theraplay
Program/Intervention Name
Category
Attachment Interventions, Family Functioning, Family Support and Placement Stabilization Programs, Parenting Skills - Training and Enhancement
Program/Intervention Description
Intensive, Generally short-term structured play therapy that focuses on enhancing the parent child attachment. Uses playful healthy interaction. Four components structure, engagement, nurture and challenge. Treatment incorporates nurturing touch and involves emotionally attuned interactive play. Treatment is based on the child's emotional level therefore the activities may seem appropriate for a younger child. Parents are actively involved in the treatment enabling them to replicate at home. Treatment for older children who have experienced trauma and loss is Generally extended and incorporates processing the child's history and connection to current family. Provides parent education and support to assist in responding to the child and managing the child's environment.
Intervention Target Population Identified (Age Group)
13-17, Parent/Adult, 0-5, 6-12
Program Goals/Outcomes
1) Increase child's sense of felt safety/security 2)Increase child's capacity to regulate affect, 3) Increase child's sense of positive body image, 4) Ensure that caregiver is able to set clear expectations and limits, 5) Ensure that caregiver's leadership is balanced with warmth and support, 6) Increase caregiver's capacity to view the child empathically 7) Increase caregiver's capacity for reflective function, 8) Increase parent and child's experience of shared joy, and 9) Increase parent's ability to help child with stressful events
QIC Target Group
Both Target 1 and Target 2
QIC Adoption/Guardianship Relevance Levels
LEVEL 3: Replicated Without Adaptation for Adoption or Guardianship
QIC level of Evidence
LEVEL 4: Promising Practice
Intervention Web Site/URL
Contact Person/Purveyor
Agency/Affiliation
Contact Email
Contact Phone
External Links (Registry/Other Catalog)
- California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse: www.cebc4cw.org/program/theraplay/detailed