A compilation of activities on various topics that give children the opportunity, among other things, to better communicate, build self-esteem and reduce stress. Children will better understand themselves as they make bracelets in the Circle of Strength activity, set goals in the Helping Hand activity, reduce stress with the Keeping Afloat activity, and examine future possibilities as they complete Life Path.

These and the other 16 activities each include rationale, ASCA standards, recommended age/grade levels, therapeutic purpose, step-by-step directions, and additional suggestions. These activities can stand alone or fit into any counseling program and, although each has recommended age/grade levels, they can be adapted to fit the needs and abilities of younger or older students. The included CD features color PDF files of each worksheet.

RESEARCH-BASED

The authors, Dr. Michele Neace Page and Dr. Joy A. Wilson, have 30 years combined experience in schools, private practice, mental health agencies and college teaching. They state that as a treatment option for children and adolescents, play therapy has been recommended by a variety of helping professionals as "a well-thought-out, philosophically conceived, developmentally based, and research-supported approach to helping children cope with and overcome problems."