Detailed results of a large study available for primary school staff for the first time
The outcomes of over 46,000 observations by parents and referrers (mostly teachers) are being published in detail on 12th December in the International Journal of Play and Creative Arts Therapies Research. These are based upon a quantified clinical evidence base (CEB) related to a standardised model of play therapy.
The overall conclusion is that 77% to 84% of children show a positive change after receiving therapy provided according to the standards of the Register of Play and Creative Arts Therapists accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. The amount of change varies according to gender, age, presenting condition, severity of the issue and country. As an example, when the population of children with a greater severity of a particular problem was examined, 93% observed by referrers and 87% by parents showed a positive change.
The CEB enables many factors to be analysed with confidence for the first time, some of which have been demonstrated in the paper. Answers on the effectiveness of play therapy, for a specific presenting condition such as relationship and attachment problems, anger management, loss and bereavement, ADHD, ASD anxiety and some 40 others can now be obtained. These include the creative arts media chosen by the children, the number of sessions and client attributes as well as the outcomes themselves.
If you would like a copy of the paper or the results for a specific condition email Jeff Thomas, Registrar Play Therapy UK: jefferyht@majemail.com