Dr. Thom Field, a core faculty member in CityU’s CACREP accredited Master of Arts Counseling program, recently published an article titled, “Neuroscience and the Magic of Play Therapy,” in the International Journal of Play Therapy. Here is an abstract from the article:

Neuroscience research has provided support for the potential of play therapy to create new neural pathways. Recent studies also have identified the impact of mirror neurons and oxytocin on the therapeutic relationship. Using the metaphor of magic, we discuss how magicians take advantage of these neurological processes to trick audiences and contrast how play therapists use similar dynamics to enhance neuroplasticity. Whereas magicians rely on techniques that narrow or misdirect attention to create their illusions, the magic of play therapy is a powerful and developmentally appropriate method of directing attention to the child’s environment, expanding awareness and transforming children and adolescents.

Dr. Fields has his Ph.D. in Counseling and Supervision from James Madison University and has over 10 years of experience counseling children, adolescents, adults, and families in inpatient, outpatient, and school settings. If you are interested in reading the full article, you can visit his website.

If you are interested in learning from practitioner faculty like Dr. Fields, explore CityU’s Master of Arts in Counseling program by requesting for information here or by contacting one of our advisors.