The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Trauma-Focused Integrated Play Therapy (TFIPT) program has been reviewed by the CEBC in the area of: Trauma Treatment (Child & Adolescent), but lacks the necessary research evidence to be given a Scientific Rating.

• Type of Maltreatment: Sexual Abuse
• Target Population: Young sexually abused children who may be victims of other forms of trauma as well, including physical abuse, neglect, witnessing domestic violence, placement in foster care, etc.

Trauma-Focused Integrated Play Therapy (TFIPT) is a program that utilizes a combination of directive and nondirective approaches in order to advance structured, goal-oriented therapy for abused children and their families. TFIPT attends to the developmental needs of young children, incorporates the scientific and practice literature, as well as evidence-based practices currently available, and promotes resolution of traumatic events by direct or indirect processing of traumatic incidents. This model includes a focused interest in facilitating, encouraging, and allowing nondirective play therapy which often leads to children’s discovery and utilization of post-traumatic play, a unique form of play which is a spontaneous occurrence with young children who experience psychic trauma. Post-traumatic play appears to be a child’s natural way to introduce gradual exposure, narrative formation, and trauma processing. Incorporating the curative factors of expressive therapy techniques (e.g., play, art, and sand therapy techniques) as valuable therapy components in and of themselves, rather than as a way to primarily engage or teach children or advance other goals, is also a distinctive feature of this approach.