Creative Psychotherapy: Neurobiologically Informed Play and Expressive Arts-Based Therapies

This new and fully updated second edition of Creative Psychotherapy provides accessible and practical guidance for therapists working with children, adolescents and adults who wish to introduce or expand their use of play and creative media in their practice.

This book first synthesises key research about brain development, the neurological impact of trauma and the development of play, then demonstrates how practitioners may apply this to practice through developmentally appropriate play and expressive arts-based approaches with clients across the lifespan.

Bringing together the expertise of an international team of authors and clinicians, topics explored include, but are not limited to:

• Applying the principles of neurobiology to play and expressive arts-based practice
• Working with the brainstem and midbrain through rhythm, music, movement, touch, and sensory play
• Working with the limbic and cortical systems including use of Thera-building® with LEGO®, images, touchstone, sandtray and storytelling

Practical guidance is supported by case studies and exemplar intervention plans throughout, providing immediately actionable steps for integrating creative approaches into clinical work.

Creative Psychotherapy is an essential clinically oriented resource for practitioners and students of psychotherapy, and other related mental health disciplines, who are interested in learning about play and expressive arts approaches to practice. It will also be a particularly compelling read for play and arts therapists, counsellors, family therapists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, and teachers.

Eileen Prendiville is the founder and Director of Academic Affairs at the Children’s Therapy Centre (CTC) in Ireland. Eileen is a creative psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer. CTC delivers MA-level training in Creative Psychotherapy and Play Therapy, and a range of Practitioner Awards and related courses for mental health.

Justine Howard, Ph.D., is a Chartered Psychologist and Therapeutic Play Specialist. She holds a British Academy Research Chair and is research lead at the Children’s Therapy Centre, Ireland. An experienced practitioner, consultant and trainer across educational, recreational and therapeutic contexts, she is widely published and an internationally recognised expert in the field.