APPLICATION OF CHILD-CENTERED PLAY THERAPY: A RESEARCH REVIEW

Abstract

Play represents a key aspect of a child's overall development, with particular importance in the domains of emotional expression and social interaction. Since children often cannot verbally articulate their feelings, play therapy emerges as a natural and effective way to understand and resolve emotional conflicts. Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), a nondirective approach, allows the child to independently choose toys and direct the course of play, while the therapist provides support without direct guidance. The aim of this paper is to highlight the significance and effectiveness of the CCPT method in working with children facing various emotional, behavioral, and developmental difficulties, through a review and analysis of contemporary literature. The literature review was conducted using relevant scientific sources according to precisely defined criteria. Ten of the most influential empirical studies on the application of CCPT in different contexts and populations were selected. Based on the analysis of the chosen studies, it can be concluded that CCPT has significant positive effects on children with behavioral disorders, learning difficulties, socialization problems, and emotional attachment issues, as well as children on the autism spectrum. The therapy proved effective in various cultural and educational contexts, and it is particularly successful when family members are actively involved in the treatment process. At the end of the paper, recommendations are provided for further research and practical application of CCPT in various developmental and clinical settings.