This book is unique in exploring the process of conducting short-term intensive group play therapy and the subsequent results. It focuses on play therapy with special populations of aggressive acting-out children, autistic children, chronically ill children, traumatized children, selective mute children, disassociative identity disorder adults with child alters, and the elderly.

Part I: Special Considerations for the Role of the Play Therapist. Landreth, Facilitative Dimensions of Play in the Therapy Process. Harris, Landreth, Essential Personality Characteristics of Effective Play Therapists. Glover, Cultural Considerations in Play Therapy. Kao, Landreth, Play Therapy with Chinese Children: Needed Modifications. Sweeney, Tatum, What the Play Therapist Needs to Know about Medications. Sweeney, Legal and Ethical Issues in Play Therapy. Crane, The Parent's Part in the Play Therapy Process. Part II: Clinical Innovations in Play as a Diagnostic Tool. White, Draper, Jones, Play Therapy Behaviors of Physically Abused Children. Ater, Play Therapy Behaviors of Sexually Abused Children. Homeyer, Identifying Sexually Abused Children in Play Therapy. Perry, Landreth, Diagnostic Assessment of Children's Play Therapy Behavior. Part III: Innovative Procedures in Play Therapy. Landreth, Sweeney, Child-Centered Group Play Therapy. Tyndall-Lind, Landreth, Intensive Short-Term Group Play Therapy. Johnson, Short-Term Play Therapy. Part IV: Play Therapy with Special Populations. Johnson, Clark, Play Therapy with Aggressive Acting-Out Children. Mittledorf, Hendricks, Landreth, Play Therapy with Autistic Children. Jones, Play Therapy for Children with Chronic Illness. Webb, Play Therapy with Traumatized Children: A Crisis Response. Post, Play Therapy with Selective Mute Children. Klein, Landreth, Play Therapy with Dissociative Identity Disorder Clients with Child Alters. Haynes, Play Therapy with the Elderly. Niel, Landreth, Have Toys-Will Travel: A Traveling Play Therapist in the School Setting.