Play Therapy with Children Across Presenting Issues and SettingsLin & Bratton (2015)

This meta-analysis supports Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) as an effective, evidence-based treatment for children. Children receiving CCPT improved by about half a standard deviation more than those without treatment. CCPT showed the strongest benefits for broad behavioural issues, self-esteem, and caregiver–child relationship stress, with younger and non-Caucasian children benefitting most. Parental involvement enhanced outcomes, though should be tailored to caregiver capacity. The study highlights improved research rigour in recent CCPT studies and calls for continued high-quality research. Overall, CCPT is affirmed as a developmentally and culturally responsive intervention suitable across diverse populations and presenting concerns in child counselling.