Articles and Research

Theraplay is an evidence-based intervention. Theraplay has been accepted by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for inclusion on the National Registry for Evidence-Based Programs and Practices.

Bojanowski, J. J., & Ammen, S. (2011). Discriminating between pre- versus post-theraplay treatment Marschak Interaction Methods using the Marschak Interaction Method Rating System. International Journal of Play Therapy, 20(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022668

Eruyar, S., & Vostanis, P. (2020). Feasibility of group theraplay with refugee children in Turkey. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 20(4), 626–637. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12354

Friend, J. (2012). Mitigating Intergenerational Trauma Within the Parent-Child Attachment. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 33(02), 114–127. https://doi.org/10.1017/aft.2012.14

Hiles Howard, A. R., Lindaman, S., Copeland, R., & Cross, D. R. (2018). Theraplay impact on parents and children with autism spectrum disorder: Improvements in affect, joint attention, and social cooperation. International Journal of Play Therapy, 27(1), 56–68. APA PsycInfo. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000056

Jernberg, A. M. (1984). Theraplay: Child Therapy for Attachment Fostering. Psychotherapy, 21(Spring), 39–47.

Kim, Y.-K., & Nahm, S. (2008). Cultural considerations in adapting and implementing play therapy. International Journal of Play Therapy, 17(1), 66–77. https://doi.org/10.1037/1555-6824.17.1.66

Money, R., Wilde, S., & Dawson, D. (2020). Review: The effectiveness of Theraplay for children under 12 – a systematic literature review. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, camh.12416. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12416

Robison, M., Lindaman, S. L., Clemmons, M. P., Doyle-Buckwalter, K., & Ryan, M. (2009). “I Deserve a Family”: The Evolution of an Adolescent’s Behavior and Beliefs About Himself and Others When Treated with Theraplay in Residential Care. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 26(4), 291–306. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-009-0177-x

Salisbury, S. (2018). Using attachment enhancing activities based on the principles of Theraplay® to improve adult-child relationships and reduce a child’s ‘overall stress’ as measured by the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 23(4), 424–440. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632752.2018.1497000

Simeone-Russell, R. (2011). A practical approach to implementing theraplay for children with autism spectrum disorder. International Journal of Play Therapy, 20(4), 224–235. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024823

Siu, A. F. Y. (2009). Theraplay in the Chinese world: An intervention program for Hong Kong children with internalizing problems. International Journal of Play Therapy, 18(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013979

Siu, A. F. Y. (2021). Does age make a difference when incorporating music as a rhythmic-mediated component in a theraplay-based program to facilitate attunement of preschool children with social impairment?International Journal of Play Therapy, 30(2), 136–145. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000131

Siu, A. F. (2023). Evaluating two play-based approaches for children and carers in residential settings: A mixed-method, randomized control study. International Journal of Play Therapy, 32(2), 63-74. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000130

Weaver, J. L., Medyk, N. V., Swank, J. M., Daniels, P. F., & Smith-Adcock, S. (2021). A phenomenological study of Theraplay groups within a middle school. International Journal of Play Therapy, 30(2), 125–135. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000139

Weir, K. N. (2008). Using Integrative Play Therapy with Adoptive Families to Treat Reactive Attachment Disorder: A Case Example. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 18(4), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1300/J085v18n04_01

Weir, K. N., Lee, S., Canosa, P., Rodrigues, N., McWilliams, M., & Parker, L. (2013). Whole Family Theraplay: Integrating Family Systems Theory and Theraplay to Treat Adoptive Families. Adoption Quarterly, 16(3–4), 175–200. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926755.2013.844216

Wettig, H. H. G., Coleman, A. R., & Geider, F. J. (2011). Evaluating the effectiveness of Theraplay in treating shy, socially withdrawn children. International Journal of Play Therapy, 20(1), 26–37. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022666

Cort, L. & Rowley, E. (2015). A case study evaluation of a group Theraplay intervention to support mothers and their preschool children following domestic abuse (Research in Brief). British Psychological Society, Debate 156.

Fuller, W. (1995). Theraplay as a treatment for autism in a school-based day treatment setting. Continuum: The Journal of the American Association for Partial Hospitalization 2(2), 89-93.

Makela, J. & Vierikko, I. (2005) From heart to heart: Interactive therapy for children in care. Report on the Theraplay project in SOS Children’s Villages in Finland 2001-2004. The SOS Children’s Villages Association, Finland.

Makela, J. & Salo, S. (2011) Theraplay –vanhemman ja lapsen välinen vuorovaikutushoito lasten mielenterveysongelmissa. (Theraplay- Parent-child interaction treatment for children with mental health problems) Duodecim, 127(4), 327-334.

Salo, S., Lampi, L. & Lindaman, S. (2010) Use of the emotional availability scales to evaluate attachment-based intervention Theraplay- in substance abusing mother-infant dyads in Finland. Infant Mental Health Journal Supplement, 2010, 32:77.

Tucker, C., & Smith, S. (2018). Using play to enhance growth in children who have experienced trauma: Theraplay groups as early intervention. Young Exceptional Children Monograph Series, 17, 72-81.