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This study investigated the impact of Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT)/Non-Directive Play Therapy on parent-child relationship stress using archival data from 202 child clients divided into clinical behavioural groups over 3-74 sessions in a mental health training setting. Results demonstrated significant differences between pre and post testing on the "Parenting Stress Index." CCPT appeared to be especially effective with children identified with clinical externalising behavioural problems, combined externalising and internalising behavioural problems, and children who were not categorised with clinical problem behaviours but whose parents sought counselling services for them. There were also significant differences determined by length of therapy. Results are discussed concerning implications for clinical practice and further research. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)

Assessment is a foundational part of counseling practice, which includes providing assessment feedback to those evaluated. Though millions of children are assessed yearly, there has been little research surrounding providing assessment feedback with children. In this study, the authors qualitatively explored children's experiences with a developmentally appropriate feedback model based in creativity, the Young Children's Assessment Feedback (YCAF). Participants included ten 6 to 10-year old children, who completed a battery of psychoeducational assessments and the YCAF process. Data sources included session transcriptions, session observation notes, child interviews, parent interviews, and expressive arts observation notes. To explore the perceptions regarding the YCAF, the authors utilized interpretative phenomenological analysis to understand the children's feedback experiences. Findings included the themes: freedom for self-direction, self-concept, therapeutic relationship, affective responses of child, systemic shifts, and developmental considerations. Children in this study reported a variety of benefits and experiences surrounding receiving their own personalized, developmentally appropriate assessment feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reiki healing is one of several complementary and integrative therapies becoming increasingly prevalent in mental health counseling. It has been identified in the medical field for its usefulness in treating anxiety, depression, and pain but has rarely been studied for its counseling impact on client wellness. The existing literature on the use of Reiki with psychotherapy is largely conceptual in nature. This single-case experimental research found anxiety symptom reduction in three out of four participants through the implementation of an in-session psychotherapeutic Reiki (PR) intervention. The results suggest potential therapeutic benefits for integrating PR with traditional counseling. Included in the discussion of study results are clinical implications and importance, suggestions for future research, and limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children in military families may face risk factors in the course of their caregiver's service, including separation, attachment, grief, loss, and mobility, which may result in emotional or behavioral difficulties. Counselors are more effective when prepared to address the unique needs of military-connected youth in culturally responsive practices. In this article, the authors review literature which describes the mental health needs of children in military families, provide a case application example, and present a model for applying the Competencies for Counseling Military Populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child‐centered play therapy (CCPT) is a mental health intervention grounded in the philosophy of relational humanism. In CCPT, the counselor trusts in the child's ability to move toward self‐ and other enhancement through the process of play therapy. As a humanistic intervention, CCPT recognizes the intersectionality of development, play, and relationship in service of deepening empathic understanding, communicating in the language of children, and activating the self‐actualizing tendency through relational connection. Principles of CCPT can be extended to mental health practices, systems of care, and institutions serving children in order to advocate for communities that support healthy development in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the effects of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) on hyperactivity and irritability behaviors of two elementary-aged children identified with an intellectual disability. A single-case, ABA research design was used to examine the effectiveness of CCPT. Results indicate that CCPT decreased hyperactivity and irritability behaviors following introduction to the treatment intervention. For both participants, improvements in behaviors were maintained. A discussion of limitations and implications for future research are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]