Cover of International Journal of Play Therapy (medium)
International Journal of Play Therapy
A publication of Association for Play Therapy, United States. Mental Health Professionals Applying Therapeutic Power of Play!

International Journal of Play Therapy

ISSN 1555-6824
eISSN 1939-0629
Open access offered
Published quarterly, beginning in January

The International Journal of Play Therapy® is dedicated to publishing and disseminating reports of original research, theoretical articles, and substantive reviews of topics germane to play therapy on behalf of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, school counselors, marriage and family therapists, and other mental health professionals.

Earn continuing education credits

You may earn continuing education (CE) credits by enrolling in the IJPT Continuing Education Program. Noncontact CE credits may be earned through the Association for Play Therapy, an APA-approved sponsor of psychology continuing education program. This self-paced program, based on the content of IJPT, allows you to earn 1 credit per issue of the journal.

For more information, visit the Association for Play Therapyopens in new window website.

Disclaimer: APA and the editors of the International Journal of Play Therapy assume no responsibility for statements and opinions advanced by the authors of its articles.

More About The Journal

Call for submissions

International Journal of Play Therapy welcomes submissions that align with its submission guidelines.

Calls for papers

Most cited

published in the last 5 years

Exploring child-centered play therapy and trauma: A systematic review of literature.

Parker, Maggie M.; Hergenrather, Kenneth; Smelser, Quinn; Kelly, Catherine T.

Exploring the impact of child-centered play therapy for children exhibiting behavioral problems: A meta-analysis.

Parker, Maggie M.; Hunnicutt Hollenbaugh, K. Michelle; Kelly, Catherine T.

A meta-analysis of sandplay therapy treatment outcomes.

Wiersma, Jacquelyn K.; Freedle, Lorraine R.; McRoberts, Rachel; Solberg, Kenneth B.

Child-centered play therapy and social–emotional competencies of African American children: A randomized controlled trial.

Taylor, LaKaavia; Ray, Dee C.

Adlerian family play therapy: Healing the attachment trauma of divorce.

Chen, Szu-Yu; Roller, Karen; Kottman, Terry

Most downloaded

published in the last 5 years

Exploring play therapy and childhood trauma: A recent content analysis (2010–2023).

Moon, Jiyoung; Kim, Leejin; Cumpian, Dora

Exploring child-centered play therapy and trauma: A systematic review of literature.

Parker, Maggie M.; Hergenrather, Kenneth; Smelser, Quinn; Kelly, Catherine T.

Child-centered play therapy: Process and effect with autistic children.

Chung, Regine K.; Ray, Dee C.

Impact of child-centered play therapy in a trauma-focused school.

Perryman, Kristi; Robinson, Samantha; Moretta, Joseph; Asare, Obed

Regulating through relationship: Child–teacher relationship therapy with preschool teachers.

Agarwal, Sarah M.; Tapia Jr., Jose L.; Follari, Lissanna; Ray, Dee C.

International Journal of Play Therapy in the spotlight

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The top 10 journal articles of 2024

A look at the most downloaded articles from APA’s 89 journals
Research in Brief

The multicultural play therapy room: Intentional decisions on toys and materials

In this APA Journals Article Spotlight for the International Journal of Play Therapy, researchers led by Regine K. Chung conducted a study to determine essential items for creating culturally inclusive play therapy rooms.
APA Journals Article Spotlight

Can sandplay therapy change the brain as it reduces anxiety? A case study using neuroimaging

The featured case study assesses the effect of sandplay therapy on a patient with generalized anxiety disorder.
APA Journals Article Spotlight
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