This volume is the most comprehensive examination of play as a therapeutic technique ever compiled. Composed of more than fifty essays by clinicians of such stature as Erik Erikson, Virginia Axline, Haim Ginott, Melanie Klein, and Anna Freud, the book focuses on six major approaches to the therapeutic use of play: the psychoanalytic approach, release therapy, the relationship orientation of Axline, play group therapy, the limit-setting approach, and behavioral therapy. These articles provide the best introduction to the rich and growing field of play therapy.

1. Play in cognitive development -- 2. Play symbolism in cognitive development -- 3. Play in personality development -- 4. Development through play -- 5. Validity of play -- 6. Psychoanalytic theory of play -- 7. The role of play in childhood -- 8. The psychoanalytic play technique -- 9. The role of transference in the analysis of children -- 10. Child's growth in play therapy -- 11. Release therapy -- 12. Structured play therapy -- 13. Play therapy procedures and results -- 14. Play therapy: a training manual for parents -- 15. Therapeutic work with children -- 16. Play group therapy -- 17. Activity group therapy with children -- 18. Limits are therapy -- 19. Therapeutic intervention in child treatment -- 20. Behavioral therapy with children -- 21. Treatment with child and mother in the playroom -- 22. Mutual storytelling technique -- 23. Story making in psychotherapy with a chronically ill child -- 24. Finger painting with children -- 25. Theraplay technique -- 26. Diagnostic family interviews -- 27. Puppets in child psychotherapy -- 28. Costume play therapy -- 29. Use of checkers in therapy -- 30. Use of checkers in handling resistance -- 31. Semantic play therapy -- 32. Use of ordinary office equipment -- 33. The suitcase playroom -- 34. Use of a school play kit for school adjustment problems -- 35. Play equipment -- 36. Toys for nondirective play therapy -- 37. The search for ego controls -- 38. Play therapy -- 39. Play and cure -- 40. Release therapy -- 41. Play therapy at home -- 42. Play with a five-year-old boy -- 43. Play therapy as described by children -- 44. Participation in therapy -- 45. School centered play therapy -- 46. Filial therapy -- 47. The therapeutic play group--a case study -- 48. Activity group therapy -- 49. Activity group parameters -- 50. Experiences in group therapy with latency-age boys -- 51. Most and least used play hterapy limits -- 52. Reduction of overactive behavior -- 53. Producing behavior change in parents -- 54. Pre-school children's non-compliance.