What is it about?
This meta-analysis combined findings from 25 studies to examine whether Child-Centered Play Therapy and Child–Parent Relationship Therapy help children with anxiety, depression, and other internalizing problems. Results showed both approaches effectively reduced emotional difficulties, supporting their use to promote children's mental health.
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Why is it important?
As children's anxiety and emotional challenges continue to rise, this meta-analysis provides timely evidence that Child-Centered Play Therapy and Child–Parent Relationship Therapy effectively reduce internalizing problems, supporting their use in mental health, school, and community settings.
Perspectives
I believe this study is important because it strengthens the growing evidence that play therapy is an effective way to help children with emotional challenges. By combining findings across many studies, it provides stronger support for using play therapy as an evidence-based intervention.
Jenna Taylor
University of Mount Olive
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Child-centered play therapy and child–parent relationship therapy effects on internalizing problems: A meta-analysis., International Journal of Play Therapy, January 2026, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/pla0000250.
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