Using Integrative Play Therapy with Adoptive Families to Treat Reactive Attachment Disorder

Abstract

This article outlines a case example of treatment using an integrative play therapy approach to treat an adoptive family where Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) was present. From a theoretical perspective, this article contributes to our understanding of how to integrate Structural Family Therapy, Theraplay®, and other selected family play therapy models to target the needs of a specific population and diagnosis (namely adoptive families struggling with RAD). In terms of its value to current clinical practitioners, rich descriptions of play activities and techniques, along with their intended purposes, are also included. This study demonstrates preliminary research indications that play therapy with adoptive families does yield positive descriptive outcomes to treat Reactive Attachment Disorder.

Whole Family Theraplay: Integrating Family Systems Theory and Theraplay to Treat Adoptive Families

“…Each approach contains numerous models of treatment that have a record of usefulness for a variety of clinical issues with which adoptive families present in clinical settings. For example, Structural Family Therapy (SFT), Bowenian Family Systems Therapy, Narrative Family Therapy, multiple Behavioral Family Therapy approaches including Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and SolutionOriented Family Therapy have all had studies indicating that these models are effective in the systemic treatment of adoptive families (Barth, Crea, John, Thoburn, & Quinton, 2005;Becker, Carson, Seto, & Becker, 2002;Cattanach, 2008;Doherty & McDaniel, 2010;Nims & Duba, 2011;Timmer et al 2006;Weir, 2003Weir, , 2007Weir, , 2011aWeir, , 2011b. Additionally, multiple models of play therapy such as Filial Family Play Therapy (FFPT), Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), and Theraplay have been shown to be effective with adoptive families (Becker-Weidman, 2006;Booth & Jernberg, 2010;Hughes, 1997;Hughes, 2007;Ryan & Madsen, 2007;Van Fleet, 1994;Van Fleet, Ryan, & Smith, 2005;Weir, 2007Weir, , 2011aWeir, , 2011b.…”

“…Mostly, such focus on integration has had to do with family therapy theories in general (e.g., integrating SolutionOriented or Brief Family Therapy integrated with Strategic Family Therapy to form "Brief Strategic Family Therapy," Santisteban, Suarez-Morales, Robbins, & Szapocznik, 2006) and couples therapies in particular (e.g., Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy, Christensen, Jacobson, & Babcock, 1995; Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy [EFT], Johnson et al, 2005; and Collaborative Attachment Systems Therapy, Weir, 2012). Only recently have we seen a significant interest in integrating family therapy with play therapy models to develop more effective treatment approaches for families of all types regardless of their adoption status, in general (Dermer, Olund, & Sori, 2006;Early, 1994;Gil, 1994Gil, , 2006Gil & Sobol, 2000;Poole, 2006;Sori, 2006;Weir, 2011a;Wittenborn, Faber, Harvey, & Thomas, 2006) and for adoptive families, in particular (Cattanach, 2008;Gil, 2006;Weir, 2007Weir, , 2011a in the contemporary literature. The integration of family therapy and play therapy has wide practical applications for clinicians in the counseling, marriage and family therapy (MFT), psychology, and social work fields who specialize in working with adoptive families.…”

“…Among the non-coercive attachment-based play therapies, Filial Family Play Therapy (FFPT), Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), and Theraplay have been the most studied (Becker-Weidman, 2006;Booth & Jernberg, 2010;Hughes, 1997Hughes, , 2007Rubin, Lender, & Mroz, 2009;Ryan & Madsen, 2007;Van Fleet, 1994;Van Fleet et al, 2005;Weir 2007Weir , 2011aWeir , 2011bWetting, Franke, & Fjordbak, 2006). Each of these three models warrants consideration in the treatment of adoptive and foster families.…”

Narrative Therapy for Adoption Issues in Families, Couples, and Individuals: Rationale and Approach

“…First, it may be desirable to use solutionfocused, brief, or directive therapy approach because of the need for structured rebuilding of attachment bonds (Weir, 2007). For example, in cases where there may be reactive attachment disorder, families may benefit from a more directive approach such as the integrated play therapy approach suggested by Weir (2007). Alternatively, some clients may not connect adoption to the issues bringing them to counseling, and thus, narrative work focused on the adoption narrative may not be relevant for such clients.…”

“…In regard to offering specific interventions, Corder (2012) suggests using narratives and timelines with adoptees and families. Additionally, Weir (2007) suggests the use of integrative play therapy in therapy for families in which the adopted child has reactive attachment disorder. Integrated play therapy draws on structural family therapy, theraplay, and other attachment-based play therapy approaches (Weir, 2007).…”