Foreword by David A. Crenshaw, Ph.D. Introduction. Part 1: Invoking the Spirit of Play. 1. Paradox: The Essence of Play Therapy. 2. The Roles of the Dynamic Play Therapist: Witnessing, Containing, Provoking, Envisioning. 3. Synchrony and Mirroring. Part 2: Imaginative Play. 4. The Meaning and Necessity of Symbols. 5. Symbols as Vehicles for Emotion. 6. Sand as Vehicle for Symbols. Part 3: Aggressive Play. 7. The Function and Necessity of Aggression. 8. Aggression and the Connection to the Self: Monsters. 9. Aggression and the Connection to Others. 10. Play Materials that Facilitate Healthy Aggression. Part 4: Helping Things Fall Apart. 11. The Mythological Perspective. 12. The Natural World as Evidence. Epilogue: Getting Lost and Finding Ourselves. References. Recommended Reading. Index.

Children will experience natural growth and change throughout their lives. Play, by its very nature, always results in things falling apart, often literally, and children generally find satisfaction in this process of collapse and renewal.
This book harnesses the power of the reorganizing process to elicit positive and profound change in children dealing with social, neurological, developmental, health and family issues. The author clarifies the theory behind this innovative play therapy approach, and explains its practical application to a full spectrum of client needs, using inspirational, real-life anecdotes as examples. He also describes the importance of using symbols in play therapy and focuses on ways to enable children to act out their internal aggression in a safe and healthy manner.
This will be essential reading for play therapists and other professionals working therapeutically with children and their families.

Dennis McCarthy is a licensed mental health counselor in New York state and is the director of Metamorfos Institute. He is a psychotherapist working with both children and adults and specializing in sandplay and dream work. Initially trained as a dancer, he weaves the body's innate urge to move into all of his work.