Welcome to Research Spotlight! 

This page is dedicated to highlighting recent research in play therapy so that you can see what the research says! These studies will focus on a variety of topics to help play therapists in their everyday practice and will feature experts in the field. As part of our renewed research initiative, these articles will be available for a limited time and a quick video explanation can be found on our youtube page HERE. Scroll down to start learning! 

Child-centered play therapy parent services: A Q-methodological investigation
Kasie R. Lee & Dee C. Ray

Check out the article HERE! Available until October 6, 2023.
Lee, K. R., & Ray, D. C. (2020). Child-centered play therapy parent services: A Q-methodological investigation. International Journal of Play Therapy, 29(3), 131–143. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000120

Child-Centered Play Therapy and Emotional and Behavioral Problems of Children on the Autism Spectrum
Regine K. Chung

Check out the full dissertation HERE! Available through October 6, 2023. 
Chung, R.K. (2023). Child-Centered Play Therapy and Emotional and Behavioral Problems of Children on the Autism Spectrum [Doctoral dissertation, University of North Texas). University of North Texas Libraries. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2179206/m1/1/?q=chung%2C%20child-centered%20play%20therapy

 

Previous videos and covered articles:

Research Spotlight with Dr. Ahou Vaziri Line
Line, A. V. (2023) The role of play therapists' characteristics and self-efficacy in predicting barriers to engaging parents [Doctoral dissertation, University of North Texas). University of North Texas Libraries. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2137659/?q=ahou%20line
Research Spotlight with Dr. Maggie M. Parker
Parker, M. M., Hunnicutt Hollenbaugh, K. M., & Kelly, C. T. (2021). Exploring the impact of child-centered play therapy for children exhibiting behavioral problems: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Play Therapy, 30(4), 259–271. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000128

Research Spotlight with Drs. Eric S. Davis, Korinne H. Babel, & Amy P. Davis
Davis, E. S., Babel, K. H., Davis, A. P., O'Bryan, T., & Ritz, J. (2022). The use of aggressive toys in schools: Insights and experiences of school-based play therapists. International Journal of Play Therapy, 31(3), 184–195. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000174

Research Spotlight with Dr. Margaret Hindman
Hindman, M. L., Perryman, K. L., & Robinson, S. E. (2022). The adult public’s perception of the utility of play therapy. International Journal of Play Therapy, 31(1), 34–45. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000164

Research Spotlight with Dr. Ryan Holliman & Pedro J. Blanco
Holliman, R., Blanco, P., & Kowalis, C. (2022). Play therapy and academic achievement: A secondary analysis. International Journal of Play Therapy, 31(2), 82–96. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000160

Research Spotlight with Dr. Pedro J. Blanco and Dr. Ryan P. Holliman
Blanco, P.J., Holliman, R. P. & Carroll, N.C. (2019) The effect of child-centered play therapy on intrinsic motivation and academic achievement of at-risk elementary school students, Journal of Child and Adolescent Counseling,5(3), 205-220, https://doi.org/10.1080/23727810.2019.1671758

Research Spotlight with Regine K. Chung, Krystal K. Turner, & Elizabeth V. Aguilar
Ray, D.C., Chung, R. K., Turner, K.K., & Aguilar, E.V. (2022) The multicultural playroom. In D. C. Ray, Y. Ogawa, & Y. Cheng (Eds.), Multicultural play therapy: Making the most of cultural opportunities with children (pp. 29‐43). Routledge.

Research Spotlight with Dr. Elizabeth Burgin
Burgin, E., & Ray, D. (2022). Child-centered play therapy and childhood depression: An effectiveness study in schools. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 31, 293-307. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-02198-6

Research Spotlight with Dr. Kristi Perryman
Perryman, K. L., Robinson, S., Bowers, L., & Massengale, B. (2020). Child-centered play therapy and academic achievement: A prevention-based model. International Journal of Play Therapy, 29(2), 104–117. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pla0000117

Research Spotlight with Dr. Dalena Dillman Taylor
Dillman Taylor, D., Thompson, K. A., & Kottman, T. (2022). Strengthening the efficacy of Adlerian Play Therapy through the measurement model. International Journal of Play Therapy, 31(3), 165–173. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000176

Research Spotlight: Child-Centered Play Therapy and Adverse Childhood Experiences
Ray, D. C., Burgin, E., Gutierrez, D., Ceballos, P., & Lindo, N. (2021). Child-centered play therapy and adverse childhood experiences: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Counseling & Development, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12412

Research Spotlight with Dr. Alyssa Swan
Swan, A. M., Bratton, S. C., Hughes, L., Walker, K., & Frawley, C. (2022). What experiences prompted adoptive parents of preadolescents to self-refer for child–parent relationship therapy? International Journal of Play Therapy, 31(2), 119–130. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000167

Research Spotlight with Dr. LaKaavia Taylor
Taylor, L., & Ray, D. C. (2021). Child-centered play therapy and social–emotional competencies of African American children: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Play Therapy, 30(2), 74–85. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000152