Creative Psychotherapy
Neurobiologically Informed Play and Expressive Arts-Based Therapies
Routledge (Publisher)
2nd Edition
Will be published approx. on 15. September 2026
314 pages
E-Book
978-1-040-76111-3 (ISBN)
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Description
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This new and fully updated second edition of Creative Psychotherapy provides accessible and practical guidance for therapists working with children, adolescents and adults who wish to introduce or expand their use of play and creative media in their practice.
This book first synthesises key research about brain development, the neurological impact of trauma and the development of play, then demonstrates how practitioners may apply this to practice through developmentally appropriate play and expressive arts-based approaches with clients across the lifespan.
Bringing together the expertise of an international team of authors and clinicians, topics explored include, but are not limited to:
- Applying the principles of neurobiology to play and expressive arts-based practice
- Working with the brainstem and midbrain through rhythm, music, movement, touch and sensory play
- Working with the limbic and cortical systems including use of Thera-building (R) with LEGO (R), images, touchstone, sandtray and storytelling.
Practical guidance is supported by case studies and exemplar intervention plans throughout, providing immediately actionable steps for integrating creative approaches into clinical work.
Creative Psychotherapy is an essential clinically oriented resource for practitioners and students of psychotherapy, and other related mental health disciplines, who are interested in learning about play and expressive arts approaches to practice. It will also be a particularly compelling read for play and arts therapists, counsellors, family therapists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists and teachers.
This book first synthesises key research about brain development, the neurological impact of trauma and the development of play, then demonstrates how practitioners may apply this to practice through developmentally appropriate play and expressive arts-based approaches with clients across the lifespan.
Bringing together the expertise of an international team of authors and clinicians, topics explored include, but are not limited to:
- Applying the principles of neurobiology to play and expressive arts-based practice
- Working with the brainstem and midbrain through rhythm, music, movement, touch and sensory play
- Working with the limbic and cortical systems including use of Thera-building (R) with LEGO (R), images, touchstone, sandtray and storytelling.
Practical guidance is supported by case studies and exemplar intervention plans throughout, providing immediately actionable steps for integrating creative approaches into clinical work.
Creative Psychotherapy is an essential clinically oriented resource for practitioners and students of psychotherapy, and other related mental health disciplines, who are interested in learning about play and expressive arts approaches to practice. It will also be a particularly compelling read for play and arts therapists, counsellors, family therapists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists and teachers.
Reviews / Votes
'As I reflect on the conceptual and clinical material woven through this volume, I am struck by the convergence of science, practice, and human connection that animates its chapters. This text exemplifies what it means to translate neuroscience into healing practice-not as abstract theory, but as a framework rooted in safety, engagement, and respect for developmental and individual trajectories.This revised volume exemplifies the editors' thoughtful curation and their ongoing dedication to fostering therapeutic approaches that integrate neuroscience with the expressive arts. Their work creates an essential platform for bridging scientific understanding with clinical application, making this edition a timely and meaningful contribution to the field.'
Dr. Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D.
'This book is an example of an opportunity to listen and learn from each other. There are a valuable range of therapeutic perspectives and approaches presented here. Each author has experience and expertise in their unique approach - yet each anchor their work in the unifying perspective of neurobiology.
The integration of core aspects of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics into the various play and expressive arts-based therapeutic practices presented in this new edition, yield valuable insights and more effective application of the various evidence-based therapeutic tools available to our clinical teams.'
Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D.
Praise for the 1st Edition
'This book is a timely and valuable gift to the field of play and expressive arts-based psychotherapy. Neurosequential development is essential knowledge for therapists who work with individuals across the lifespan and specifically to address concerns arising in childhood. Prendiville and Howard have logically sequenced this volume to incorporate neurobiological principles with targeted sensory interventions for lower brain regions and with creative art, narrative and imaginative play interventions to progress neural integration for higher brain systems. A synaptic tree of therapeutic knowledge.'
Judi Parson, Ph.D., RN, APPTA RPT-S: Lecturer in Mental Health - Child Play Therapy at Deakin University, Australia
'Creative Psychotherapy is a fantastic addition to the child therapy literature. This volume offers a wonderfully rich integration of current neurobiological research with various play and expressive therapeutic practices. The worlds of clinical practice and developmental research often exist in parallel. Creative Psychotherapy helps bridge these worlds, to the benefit of practitioners, researchers, and most importantly, the children who we try to understand and help.'
Henry Kronengold, Ph.D., Clinical Supervisor, Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, City University of New York, USA
'I enjoyed the book immensely. I felt like I walked right into it and couldn't leave it alone! Some areas I read and re-read several times, then was so intrigued I went to the reference texts to study them. I'm excited to see where this goes!'
Joan Wilson, Registered Psychotherapist, Certified Play Therapy Supervisor, Trainer and Supervisor with the Theraplay (R) Institute
More details
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Reflowable
Illustrations
1 Tables, color; 5 Tables, black and white; 1 Line drawings, color; 1 Line drawings, black and white; 5 Halftones, color; 1 Halftones, black and white; 6 Illustrations, color; 2 Illustrations, black and white
ISBN-13
978-1-040-76111-3 (9781040761113)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Eileen Prendiville | Justine Howard
Creative Psychotherapy
Neurobiologically Informed Play and Expressive Arts-Based Therapies
Book
approx. 09/2026
2nd Edition
Routledge
€185.50
Not yet published
Eileen Prendiville | Justine Howard
Creative Psychotherapy
Neurobiologically Informed Play and Expressive Arts-Based Therapies
Book
approx. 09/2026
2nd Edition
Routledge
€43.50
Not yet published
Persons
Eileen Prendiville is the founder and Director of Academic Affairs at the Children's Therapy Centre (CTC) in Ireland. Eileen is a creative psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer. CTC delivers MA level training in Creative Psychotherapy and Play Therapy, and a range of Practitioner Awards and related courses for mental health.
Justine Howard, PhD, is a Chartered Psychologist and Therapeutic Play Specialist. She holds a British Academy Research Chair and is research lead at the Children's Therapy Centre, Ireland. An experienced practitioner, consultant and trainer across educational, recreational and therapeutic contexts, she is widely published and an internationally recognised expert in the field.
Justine Howard, PhD, is a Chartered Psychologist and Therapeutic Play Specialist. She holds a British Academy Research Chair and is research lead at the Children's Therapy Centre, Ireland. An experienced practitioner, consultant and trainer across educational, recreational and therapeutic contexts, she is widely published and an internationally recognised expert in the field.
Editor
Associate Professor at the College of Human and Health Science at Swansea University
Content
Dedications
About the Editors
Contributors
Foreword
Dr Bruce Perry
Contents
Introduction
Eileen Prendiville and Justine Howard
Part 1: Applying the principles of neurobiology to play and expressive arts-based practice
1 Neurobiology for psychotherapists: A two-way street
Eileen Prendiville
2 Key principles and advances in neurobiologically informed psychotherapy
Eileen Prendiville, Justine Howard and Katharine Selby
3 The role of non-directive and directive/Focused approaches to play and expressive arts therapy for children, adolescents, and adults
Rebecca Dickinson and Kristin Meany-Walen
4 Counselling skills in action with children, adolescents and adults
Lorri Yasenik and Ken Gardner
Part 2: Working with the Brainstem and Midbrain
5 The role of music and rhythm in the development, integration and repair of the self
Eimir McGrath
6 Being, becoming and healing through movement and touch
Maggie Fearn and Pablo Troccoli
7 Coming Alive: Finding joy through sensory play
Siobhan Prendiville and Maggie Fearn
Part 3: Working with the Limbic and Cortical Systems
8 Thera-Build (R) with LEGO (R): Sequencing Play for Regulation, Relationship and Reflection through a Neurosequential Lens
Alyson Thomsen, Sarra Boukhari and Justine Howard
9 Image Medication: The healing power of images in art psychotherapy
Claire Colreavy Donnelly
10 Sandtray Therapy: A neurobiological approach
Daniel S. Sweeney
11 Creating Change: Stories as Therapeutic Agents
Eileen Prendiville
12 Touchstone Story - A Neuroscientific and Neurosequential Therapeutic Narrative
Carol Duffy
13 A Growing Brain - A growing imagination
Karen Stagnitti
Afterword
Dr Stephen Porges
Index
About the Editors
Contributors
Foreword
Dr Bruce Perry
Contents
Introduction
Eileen Prendiville and Justine Howard
Part 1: Applying the principles of neurobiology to play and expressive arts-based practice
1 Neurobiology for psychotherapists: A two-way street
Eileen Prendiville
2 Key principles and advances in neurobiologically informed psychotherapy
Eileen Prendiville, Justine Howard and Katharine Selby
3 The role of non-directive and directive/Focused approaches to play and expressive arts therapy for children, adolescents, and adults
Rebecca Dickinson and Kristin Meany-Walen
4 Counselling skills in action with children, adolescents and adults
Lorri Yasenik and Ken Gardner
Part 2: Working with the Brainstem and Midbrain
5 The role of music and rhythm in the development, integration and repair of the self
Eimir McGrath
6 Being, becoming and healing through movement and touch
Maggie Fearn and Pablo Troccoli
7 Coming Alive: Finding joy through sensory play
Siobhan Prendiville and Maggie Fearn
Part 3: Working with the Limbic and Cortical Systems
8 Thera-Build (R) with LEGO (R): Sequencing Play for Regulation, Relationship and Reflection through a Neurosequential Lens
Alyson Thomsen, Sarra Boukhari and Justine Howard
9 Image Medication: The healing power of images in art psychotherapy
Claire Colreavy Donnelly
10 Sandtray Therapy: A neurobiological approach
Daniel S. Sweeney
11 Creating Change: Stories as Therapeutic Agents
Eileen Prendiville
12 Touchstone Story - A Neuroscientific and Neurosequential Therapeutic Narrative
Carol Duffy
13 A Growing Brain - A growing imagination
Karen Stagnitti
Afterword
Dr Stephen Porges
Index
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