Infant centered play therapy: a proposed model

Abstract

This study develops a new infant mental health intervention based on clinical research and theory. Currently, there is a lack of interventions in the mental health field that provides direct therapy to infants. This model, infant centered play therapy, will be applicable to infants who have experienced a disruption of health psychological growth from trauma, or poor parenting. The purposes of the study are to assess current infant mental health interventions and to create a developmentally appropriate infant intervention model that facilitates emotional, psychological, and social development. To achieve both purposes of this study, the researcher will complete a literature review identifying key factors promoting healthy infant development and examining how the development of infants are facilitated in the various infant interventions. The infant centered play therapy model is based on past and current research on infant development, play, attachment, and current infant psychotherapy.