Review of The healing power of play: Working with abused children

Reviews the book, The healing power of play: Working with abused children by Eliana Gil (see record 1991-97679-000). The strength of this book is found in the author's excellent and moving presentation of clinical work with six abused children. Its title, however, is misleading. A source book for clinicians who work with children that combines an in-depth review of the theory of play therapy with the current literature on the treatment of child abuse is greatly needed. Unfortunately, this book presents only an abbreviated, elementary theoretical overview, in sharp contrast to the case studies that demonstrate Gil's superior clinical expertise. Her presentation of the "Clinical Examples" is by far the highlight of the book. The cases are interesting and well organized, and when the author gives personal reflections about how she derives her interpretations, they serve as a good teaching tool. Gil shows a wonderful ability to be spontaneous, creative and responsive as a child therapist, and she also shows enormous respect for the children—both in their readiness for treatment and in their ability to do the work. Her different ways of relating to each child highlight the continually changing interactive process between patient and therapist. In spite of what is lacking in this book, there is much valuable insight to be gained from its contents. The book's cases will be interesting to child therapists at all levels of experience, and it is especially recommended to all those who are beginning to work in this field with the reservation that they also seek supervision to better integrate the theory as it applies to practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)