Contact work in child-centered play therapy: a case study

In this study, a case study approach (N = 1) was employed to investigate the process of change in child-centered play therapy for a child with an intellectual disability. A task analytic method was used to assess the effects of therapist use of contact reflections on reparation of contact for the client. Process and outcome measures were used to differentiate treatment processes and outcome. Results indicated that the client's use of contact behaviors and exhibition of behavioral problems were affected by contact work in child-centered play therapy. Possible implications and future research are discussed.