adoptive families as an approach to help parents with the mastery of parenting skills. Theraplay®
has been suggested as
an approach to working with adoptive families given that “. . . it brings parents and children together to learn new ways of interacting” and “recreates the early attachment process for the child-parent pair” (Miller, Lender, Rubin, & Lindamin, 2009, p. 408-409). Weir et al. (2013) used an integrated approach of family systems theory and Theraplay®
to create
an approach referred to as Whole Family Theraplay (WFT) specifically for their work with adoptive families. The initial findings from this research show favorable results in the areas of family communication, enhancing parents’ relational skills, and increasing clinical outcomes for adopted children (Weir et al., 2013).
Moving Forward
There is a paucity of research into the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for children and families in the adoption and foster care system. As well, while researchers suggest attachment between child and caregivers is beneficial, specific interventions which address attachment outcomes are sparse. Many treatment interventions focus on the behavior of the individual child rather than on building attachment. However, due to filial models like PCIT, FFPT, CPRT, and Theraplay®
attending to strengthening the relationship between parent and adoptee or foster child, they are viable options for treatment. Each approach is unique, with the ultimate goal of helping families attain happiness and security through improved relationships.
Given the adoption statistics, it is very likely that a play therapist will work with an adoptive/foster family at some point in his or her clinical career. If our families are to be successful, we should understand the treatment approaches available. For example, interventions that focus on improving attachment between parent and child have proven successful with this population. Play therapists who work with adoptive families may find this developing field of research encouraging and may use it to inform clinically appropriate practice with confidence that these approaches can have a positive impact on the children and their families.
References Allen, B., Timmer, S.G., & Urquiza, A.J. (2014). Parent-child interaction therapy as an attachment-based intervention: Theoretical rationale and pilot data with adopted children. Children and Y
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Axline, V. (1950). Entering the child’s world via play experiences. Progressive Education, 27, 68-75. Baden, A.L., Gibbons, J.L., Wilson, S.L., & McGinnis, H. (2013). International adoption: Counseling the adoption triad. Adoption Quarterly
, 16(3-4), 218-237.
Barth, R.P., Crea, T.M., John, K., Thoburn, J., & Quinton, D. (2005). Beyond attachment theory and therapy: Towards sensitive and evidence-based interventions with foster and adoptive families in distress. Child and Family Social W
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Bjorseth, A., & Wichstrom, L. (2016) Effectiveness of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) in the treatment of young children’s behavior problems: A randomized controlled study. Plos One 11(9), 1-19. doi: 10.1371/ journal.pone.0159845
Brodzinsky, D.M. (2011). Children’s understanding of adoption: Developmental and clinical implications. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 42(2), 200–207.
Callahan (Eds.), Adoptive Factbook V . Baltimore, MD: Victor Graphics, Inc.
Carnes-Holt, K. (2012). Child–parent relationship therapy for adoptive families. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 20(4), 419-420.
Carnes-Holt, K., & Bratton, S.C. (2014). The efficacy of child parent relationship therapy for adopted children with attachment disruptions. Journal of Counseling & Development, 92(3), 328-337. Chang, H., & Shaw, D.S. (2016). The emergence of parent-child coercive processes in toddlerhood. Child Psychiatry and Human Development 47, 226-235. doi 10.1007/s10578-015-0559-6 Eyberg, S. (1974). Parent-child interaction therapy. Integration of traditional and behavconcerns. Child and Family Behavior Therapy
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Eyberg, S.M., & Robinson, E.A. (1982). Parent-child interaction therapy: Effects on family functioning. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology
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Gagnon-Oosterwaal, N., Cossette, L., Smolla, N., Pomerleau, A., Malcuit, G., Chicoine, J., & Berthiaume, C. (2012). Pre-adoption adversity and self- reported behavior problems in 7-year-old international adoptees. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 43(4), 646–660.
Gfroerer, K., Nelsen, J., & Kern, R. M. (2013). Positive discipline: Helping children develop belonging and coping resources using individual psychology. The Journal of Individual Psychology
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Guerney, B. (1964). Filial therapy: Description and rationale. Journal of Counseling Psychology
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Ji, J., Brooks, D., Barth, R. P., & Kim, H. (2010). Beyond preadoptive risk: The impact of adoptive family environment on adopted youth’s psychosocial adjustment. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
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doi:10.1111/j.1939-0025.2010.01046.x Landreth, G. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Brunner-Routledge. Landreth, G., & Bratton, S. (2006). Child-parent relationship therapy (CPRT): A 10 session filial therapy model: New York, NY: Routledge.
McGinn, M. F. (2007). Developmental challenges for adoptees across the life cycle. In R. A. Javier, A. L. Baden, F. A. Biafora & A. Camacho-Gingerich (Eds.), Handbook of adoption: Implications for researchers, practitioners, and families. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Miller, J. M., Lender, D., Rubin, P. B., & Lindaman, S. (2009). Theraplay for children who are adopted or in foster care. In A. M. Jernberg & P. B. Booth (Eds.), Theraplay
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National Registry for Evidence-Based Programs. (2017). Retrieved from
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Porch, T. K. (2007). Counseling adoption triad members. In R. A. Javier, A. L. Baden, F. A. Biafora, & A. Camacho-Gingerich (Eds.), Handbook of adoption: Implications for researchers, practitioners, and families. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Ribaudo, J. (2016). Restoring safety: An attachment-based approach to clinical work with a traumatized toddler. Infant Mental Health Journal 37(1), 80-92.
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