THERAPLAY®  is an Attachment-Based therapeutic approach using structured play to help challenging children and their families.  It has been used effectively since it was first developed in the late 1960s by Ann Jernberg and others at the Theraplay® Institute in Chicago.  Theraplay® has been utilized in schools, day care centers, child guidance clinics, speech clinics, and in private practice in the United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Finland, Japan, and other countries around the world. Its primary applications have been with children who have behavior problems (particularly withdrawn and overactive children), speech and language problems,  physical challenges, autistic children, and children experiencing difficultiesrelated to adoption. In recent years, Theraplay® principles have also found applications in geriatric settings.

THERAPLAY® looks to healthy parent-child interaction as a guide for helping understand children's needs and potentials for positive emotional development. Theraplay® sessions are active, intense, physical, nurturing, and fun.  Parents usually are included in the process from the beginning, and often join in the play sessions later.  Theraplay® experiences are structured, nurturing, engaging and challenging.  Professionals who apply Theraplay® to other settings (such as schools and clinics) often find themselves stimulated to find creative ways to apply Theraplay® in their day-to-day practice.

Here are a few resources for those interested in learning more about Theraplay®:

Bundy-Myrow, S.  (2000) Group Theraplay for children with Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. In  E. Munns (ed.), Theraplay: Innovations in Attachment-Enhancing Play Therapy. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, 301-320.

Jernberg, Ann.  (1982).  Therapeutic use of sensory motor play.  In C. Schaefer,  & K. O'Connor (Eds.).  Handbook of Play Therapy. NY:  John Wiley, 128-147.

Jernberg, Ann.  (1979). Theraplay.  San Francisco:  Jossey-Bass.

Jernberg, A & Booth, P.  (1999).  Theraplay:  Helping Parents and Children Build Better Relationships through Attachment-Based Play.   CA: Jossey-Bass.

Jernberg, A. & Jernberg, E.  (l993).  Family Theraplay for the family tyrant.  In   T. Kottman  & C.E. Schaefer (Eds.), Play Therapy in Action:  A Casebook for Practitioners.  New York:  Jason Aronson.

Koller, T.J.  (1994).  Adolescent  Theraplay.  In K.J. O'Connor & C.E. Schaefer (Eds.), Handbook of Play Therapy, Volume Two:  Advances and Innovations.  New York:  John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Myrow, D. L. (2000) Applications for the attachment-fostering aspects of Theraplay.  In  E. Munns (ed.), Theraplay: Innovations in Attachment-Enhancing Play Therapy. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, 55-77.

Useful Addresses Susan Bundy-Myrow, Ph.D. & David L. Myrow, Ph.D. 822 Center Road West Seneca, NY 14224  USA Phone: (716) 675-6702 The Theraplay Institute 1137 Central, Wilmette, IL  60091 USA Phone: (847) 256-7334 Internet: www.theraplay.org