However the subtitle "Integrating Directive and NondirectiveApproaches" is slightly misleading. It is not mainly about theintegration of child-led and practitioner-led methods within playtherapy. The book is really about the integration of expressive artstherapies.
Chapters on each of the therapies are supported by chapters dealing withthe basic principles of working with abused and traumatised children,guidelines for assessment and integrated treatment, special issues andthe problems of dissociation (the compartmentalising of negativeemotions).
This is an ambitious, concise and clear book. However, there are somemajor omissions, particularly in the coverage of play therapy, such asVirginia Axline's therapy principles as well as play therapy tools suchas music, movement and clay. The chance to present an inclusive playtherapy tool-kit is another opportunity that Gil has missed and I feltuncomfortable where play therapy was described for use in assessment.Not enough emphasis is placed on distinguishing its use for assessmentfrom the episodes used for treatment, particularly for the child.
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