Understanding Evidence-Based Treatment Criterion Through the Evaluation of Play Therapy Approaches

Clearinghouses are established systems that declare which counseling modalities are considered evidence-based treatments (EBTs). As researchers continue to produce intervention-based studies, there continues to be a gap in understanding how to best establish, support, and strengthen EBTs. Evaluation criteria and standards differ across research clearinghouses, and these systems can be difficult for new researchers and practitioners to navigate on their own. To address the gap between research studies and declaring EBTs through research clearinghouses, the authors (a) define and identify research clearinghouses that have evaluated play therapy approaches and (b) compare the various standards across three major EBTs through an assessment of current play therapy research. Last, the authors provide next-step considerations for future studies within each intervention to increase in rigor and level across three approaches.