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The Interpersonal Neurobiology of Play: Brain-Building Interventions for Emotional Well-Being
Nurturing brain development in children through play. The mental health field has seen a significant shift in the past decade toward including a neuroscience perspective when designing clinical interventions. However, for many play therapists it has been challenging to apply this information in the context of play therapy. Here, Theresa Kestly teaches therapists how to understand the neurobiology of play experiences so the undeniable benefits of play therapy can be exploited to their fullest.
At last, clinical readers have a book that takes seriously the importance of play and brings a scientific eye to this most important aspect of life. Drawing on concepts of interpersonal neurobiology, the benefits of play interventions to achieve attunement, neural integration, healthy attachment, and the development of resilience and well-being become clear.
The book is organized into three parts. The first part lays a conceptual foundation for considering play in relation to the neurobiology of the developing brain and mind. The next part explores specific topics about play including the therapeutic playroom, the collaborative relationship between therapist and clients, storytelling, and mindfulness. The last part of the book asks questions about the state of play in our families, clinics, and schools. How did we get to a place where play has been so devalued, and what can we do about it? Now that we know how important play is across the lifespan from a scientific standpoint, what can we do to fully integrate it into our lives? After reading this book, clinicians, teachers, and even parents will understand why play helps children (and adults) heal from painful experiences, while developing self-regulation and empathy. The clinical examples in the book show just how powerful the mind is in its natural push toward wholeness and integration.
At last, clinical readers have a book that takes seriously the importance of play and brings a scientific eye to this most important aspect of life. Drawing on concepts of interpersonal neurobiology, the benefits of play interventions to achieve attunement, neural integration, healthy attachment, and the development of resilience and well-being become clear.
The book is organized into three parts. The first part lays a conceptual foundation for considering play in relation to the neurobiology of the developing brain and mind. The next part explores specific topics about play including the therapeutic playroom, the collaborative relationship between therapist and clients, storytelling, and mindfulness. The last part of the book asks questions about the state of play in our families, clinics, and schools. How did we get to a place where play has been so devalued, and what can we do about it? Now that we know how important play is across the lifespan from a scientific standpoint, what can we do to fully integrate it into our lives? After reading this book, clinicians, teachers, and even parents will understand why play helps children (and adults) heal from painful experiences, while developing self-regulation and empathy. The clinical examples in the book show just how powerful the mind is in its natural push toward wholeness and integration.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published June 9, 2014
37 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 24, 2025
A five star read!! This was a coming together moment for me. Our bodies are truly wired for connection and joy, and this is what play is for. I’m still sitting in all the wonderful ideas here and what they might mean not just for my clinical work but also for my marriage, my body, my friendships, my church, and for little Sophie.
“I can see how the culture of a healthy family, arising through play, contributes to the culture as a whole the creative energy necessary for its evolution.” Dare I say for its evolution into the kingdom of God??
And from Marc Otto, quoted in Kestley’s final chapter:
“Becoming familiar with PLAY means nothing less than embracing the tenderness of our heart, the fullness of our mind, and the softness of our belly in all moments. And remembering that we are here to be family.”
“I can see how the culture of a healthy family, arising through play, contributes to the culture as a whole the creative energy necessary for its evolution.” Dare I say for its evolution into the kingdom of God??
And from Marc Otto, quoted in Kestley’s final chapter:
“Becoming familiar with PLAY means nothing less than embracing the tenderness of our heart, the fullness of our mind, and the softness of our belly in all moments. And remembering that we are here to be family.”
March 31, 2019
Play
A very important book that delineates the importance of play. Theresa Kestly weaves together current research on interpersonal neurobiology and her own experience as a play therapist and teacher to form a more complete understanding of the characteristics of the right and left hemisphere, thus a more complete understanding of what it is to be human.
A very important book that delineates the importance of play. Theresa Kestly weaves together current research on interpersonal neurobiology and her own experience as a play therapist and teacher to form a more complete understanding of the characteristics of the right and left hemisphere, thus a more complete understanding of what it is to be human.
June 22, 2024
I am a Registered Play Therapist and a supervisor. I am going to reccomend this book to individuals I supervise. This book did a great job of illustrating how our brain (or the neurobiology) impacts children's behaviors and how to use the brain to help support play and healing. A must-read for ANYONE that works with kids. I felt that it was an easy quick read with great suggestions.
February 27, 2023
Every parent should read this.
January 21, 2025
Amazing
May 13, 2017
I am a psychotherapy who works with children ages 4-11 and found this book incredibly helpful for my practice. The content is very well explained and easily accessible for those who do not have a strong background in neuroscience. I also appreciated the clinical case examples, which served to bring life to the science and theory discussed throughout the book. I would highly recommend this book for any psychotherapist, as well as teachers who are interested in learning more about social/emotional development.
December 5, 2014
I think if I were a member of the intended audience, ie a play therapist, I would rate this even more highly.
April 28, 2015
Definitely buying this book for my professional shelves!! :)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews