Group Play Therapy: Impact on Anxiety and Problematic Behaviors of Preschool Children

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Abstract

The current paper presents findings from a quantitative study examining the effects of child-centered group play therapy (CCGPT) on anxiety and problematic behaviors of preschool children. In this study, four preschool children with borderline or clinical levels of anxiety as rated by parents or teachers on the Child Behavior Checklist 1.5-5 (CBCL), participated in 10 sessions of CCGPT. Children’s problematic classroom behaviors were assessed prior to and during participation in play therapy. After participating in group play therapy, all children displayed decreased symptoms of anxiety and decreased problematic classroom behaviors.

Authors

• Karrie Lea Swan, Eastern Washington University

• Sara Haas