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Author Archive for Jacob Wilburn

October Play Therapy Wrap-Up

Posted by Jacob Wilburn 
· October 31, 2015 
· No Comments

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-This is a tremendously inspiring profile of a 34-year veteran in the service of child welfare. Her efforts in advocacy and providing services for foster children have changed lives, and her fights for funding along the way have galvanized change on a governmental level. On a related note, this blog post from The Guardian provides some very helpful advice on how to empathize with foster children and be the best foster carer possible.

-In late September, the MetroWest Daily News published an editorial by Dr. Michael Azzerad in which the efficacy of play therapy is called into question. A few days later, a play therapist offered counterpoints based on her experience. What are your thoughts on this debate? Let us know in the comments!

-This interview with Phyllis Booth, Clinical Director Emeritus of the Theraplay Institute, is lengthy, sure, but since when is that a bad thing? It’s full of stories and insight from a true trailblazer in the field of play therapy. Print this one out and enjoy an enlightening read!

-It’s difficult to predict how a child will react to their parents getting divorced. In this article, the mother of an only child recounts her own experience and the considerable role that play therapy played in helping her daughter adjust.

-This three-part story about the abuse and neglect of a young child with Down syndrome is difficult to read, but it’s outcome is a testament to the power of therapy. It’s also an inspiring account of a community coming together to help a child heal. (A follow-up to the story, detailing the waves of support that came in after it’s publication, was published a week later.)

-The power of music is a mysterious and magnificent thing. It can build a sense of community, elicit emotional response, or transport someone to a significant point in their personal history. The Utah APT recently held a conference on using music in play therapy, and an attendee wrote this thorough recap. This is one I hate to have missed!

-I really enjoy reading profiles of child therapy practitioners in local newspapers. It’s encouraging and enlightening to see the practice of play therapy grow and discover new approaches to intervention. Here’s one on a social worker in Minnesota who uses non-directive play therapy to help kids with mental and emotional issues.

-The inaugural episode of an Australian play therapy podcast deals with child trauma and how it can affect sleep. A worthwhile listen! Looking forward to hearing more!

-It wouldn’t be a MPTP monthly wrap-up without a new story about healing horses! This particular practice takes a ground-based approach: instead of riding the horses, the idea is to connect with the animals and lead them through obstacles. Horses are very sensitive to negative energies, so the exercise allows a person to build on their self-calming and teamwork skills.

-Another hot play therapy news item is the use of Legos as a therapeutic device, particularly with autistic children. I still haven’t seen ‘A Lego Brickumentary’, but I’m eager to check it out! Any Siskels or Eberts out there want to share their review?

-People arrive at play therapy from many different paths. This practitioner was a pharmacist for more than a decade before discovering a passion for helping children through play.

-It’s come to this: in South Korea, a state-run institution has been set up for teenagers who are addicted to their smartphones. The center uses a variety of approaches to treat the media-dependent patients, including play therapy. In one exercise, they are asked to answer two questions: ‘What would it be like if you spent the next 10,000 hours playing with your smartphone?’ and ‘What would it be like if you spend the next 10,000 hours trying to achieve your dream?’. This is something we would all do well to consider.

-Two survivors of domestic violence are helping other victims through the means of play and drama therapy.

The big annual National APT conference in Atlanta was a great success, as usual. It’s always so exciting to meet play therapists from all across the country. Thanks to all who stopped by the Child Therapy Toys booth!

Have a novel November!

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Categories : Monthly Wrap-Up, Uncategorized

September Play Therapy Wrap-Up

Posted by Jacob Wilburn 
· September 30, 2015 

-Spending quality time with your kids is becoming increasingly difficult in this age of distraction. This helpful article suggests many different ways to emotionally engage your children, including filial play therapy.

-What can you do when a child with behavioral problems is too old for play therapy? Here’s an idea: A juvenile detention center in Virginia has instituted a program that gives youths a therapeutic outlet through gardening, allowing their true potential to bloom!

-This is a very thought-provoking and topical editorial on the possibility of using play therapy to curb criminal activity in inner cities.

-Have you ever pondered with concern what happens to race horses after their careers are over? An organization in Saratoga Springs, NY is building a center where they can be adopted and used in animal-assisted therapy.

-I love finding new play therapy podcasts. In this episode, autismshow.org interviews Dr. Robert Jason Grant, the creator of AutPlay Therapy, a play-based approach to working with children.

-It’s great to see people coming up with new methods of therapy based on the healing power of play. A professor at the University of Arkansas specializes in adventure-based counseling, which is therapy through outdoor activities such as camping and rope courses.

-Play therapists are in high demand in schools in the uk. Here’s an interesting article from a British teaching magazine that explains why.

-Australia, too, is looking to train more play therapists as the practice grows in popularity.

-Fall is workshop season and there are plenty of great learning opportunities available, including this one at George Fox University in Portland, Oregon. Check out more upcoming events in our resources section.

-This is a very interesting story about a young girl in Scotland with selective mutism, an under-discussed childhood anxiety disorder that affects many children.

-This is a great story about how play therapy can help children work through grief, while also fostering creativity. A young boy who lost his mother was inspired to write a book for other children dealing with grief.

-Here’s a great profile and interview with a therapist in Duluth, Minnesota who practices equine-assisted therapy.

-The mother of an autistic child realizes her vision of a safe play-place where children on the autism spectrum can learn socialization through play.

Have an optimistic October!

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Categories : Monthly Wrap-Up, Play Therapy news, Uncategorized, Wrap Up

August Play Therapy Wrap-Up

Posted by Jacob Wilburn 
· August 30, 2015 
· No Comments

-I’ve been hearing more and more about EMDR therapy combined with sandtray therapy. For those in the Houston area, there’s a learning opportunity on the subject in November.

-It is very important for children to feel safe, especially after a traumatic event. Here’s a brief article on how you can use play to calm a child’s fears. One of the suggestions, as this other version of the article notes, is to let the children know that you are afraid, too.

-A British actress is getting the word out about play therapy. We need one of our American celebrities to do the same!

-In this article, a divorced woman talks about how play therapy helped to illuminate her child’s feelings about her parents splitting up.

-In this video, Liana Lowenstein demonstrates on of the many wonderful intervention ideas from her book More Creative Interventions for Troubled Children & Youth (available at ChildTherapyToys.com, of course).

-This is a great idea! This organization allows kids to train rescue dogs to be used in animal-assisted therapy.

-Alternative therapies like play therapy are gaining popularity across the globe. This article looks at the practice of non-clinical therapy interventions in the United Arab Emirates.

-This isn’t a new article, but it’s very interesting and comprehensive look at ADHD statistics.

-I always enjoy reading profiles of therapists in local newspapers; it gives you a nice look into others’ practices. Here’s one on an art therapist in Wisconsin.

-A “Therapy summer camp” in California is helping kids heal and learn through play.

-This is the first we’ve heard of the EyePlay system, which projects games onto the floor that help children in a variety of developmental areas. I’d love to try this out!

-In most cases, parents can’t bring their children in for therapy with a professional every day. The PLAY project is teaching parents of autistic children how to engage their kids in play therapy at home.

-If you walk into a bookstore lately you might see something rather unusual: a display of coloring books…for adults. Adult coloring books are topping bestseller lists as people turn to art therapy to ease their minds. Kids have known that coloring has this soothing power all along!

-Here’s a brief history of art therapy from Creative Counseling 101.

-The New Yorker had a funny and fascinating article in which neuroscience is used to explain the out-of-control behavior of teenagers.

-As kids head back to school this month, it’s important to be aware and attentive to the many anxieties that accompany this time of year.

-Fire up the printer! Here’s a great collection of free feelings word activities and posters!

Have a super September!

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Categories : Monthly Wrap-Up, Play Therapy news, Resources, Wrap Up

July Play Therapy Wrap-Up

Posted by Jacob Wilburn 
· August 1, 2015 
· No Comments

-This is a nice story about how a child with Autism Spectrum disorder was able to socialize and enjoy his birthday party.

-Here’s a really fun intervention idea to help teach children how to manage their anger. It’s a great way to have some fun outside, too!

-This was a very interesting piece about a therapist who uses sand tray therapy with immigrants and their families. She uses the therapy to connect with her clients, who are often in danger of having their spouse or parent deported, and to help them work through the stress and emotional trauma of the situation.

-There are four very simple activities that will help children with sensory disorders, and improve their physical health!

-In this video, therapists demonstrate two activities involving puppets that can be used as play therapy interventions.

-We’ve all heard the phrase “window into your soul” but what about a “fence”? This is a neat and informative article on the meaning of fences in sand tray therapy.

-It’s accepted as a universal parenting truth that positive reinforcement is helpful in child development and self-esteem. This very interesting article in the Washington Post suggests that it might not be as constructive as we think.

-Grief affects even those who’s profession is to help people cope with grief. Here’s a moving and insightful editorial on how a therapist mourns.

-Looking for a good sandplay learning opportunity but don’t want to travel? The Association for Sandplay Therapy is hosting a live webinar September 26-27 called “The Return to Health and Spirit in Sandplay”.

-The new Pixar film “Inside Out” has been a huge hit and, as this blog post explains, there’s lots to be gleaned from the film from a counselor’s perspective.

-Using brain imaging, scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have completed a study that suggests anxiety and depression are passed down to children from their parents.

-A similar study done at Duke university showed that mental health problems in childhood often lead to difficulties in adulthood.

-It sounds like the five-day play therapy conference at the University of North Carolina was a really great learning experience, with excellent speakers. Did you attend?

-Child-Centered Play Therapy explained.

-A documentary about the amazing power of LEGO, and the toy’s ability to help children with autism, recently screened at San Diego Comic-Con. Here’s an intriguing review of the film.

-This is another good article from the Southern Sandtray Institute on alternatives to cognitive behavioral therapy when it’s proved ineffective.

-All parents want to keep their children completely safe from harm, but, as this article suggests, letting kids take risks is essential to their development.

Have an awesome August!

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Categories : Monthly Wrap-Up, Play Therapy, Play Therapy news, Wrap Up

June Play Therapy Wrap-Up

Posted by Jacob Wilburn 
· June 28, 2015 
· No Comments

-This is a very moving story about a woman who lost a daughter and started an animal rescue organization in her name. The group rescues animals from kill shelters and uses them in animal-assisted play therapy to help kids with self-esteem, behavior management, and self-control.

-It’s great to read stories about the ever-widening use of play therapy across the globe!

-This is an informative and timely article on how art therapy (including the use of sand tray figurines) can be used to help victims of sexual abuse and trauma.

-When a child goes from gregarious to shy it can be very worrisome to a parent. This first-hand-account suggests some possible reasons for the change and recommends some ways of dealing with it, including play therapy.

-This post on the Southern Sandtray Institute blog explains how to deal with a situation therapists are all familiar with: when a first-time client looks at you like you’re crazy…

-Young Ukrainian children who have spent extended periods of time in bomb shelters due to recent conflicts are being helped by teams of volunteer psychologists. Interesting read!

-Feeling tense? We all know sand is a great way to express oneself, but it can also be very relaxing. Check out this soothing video of a robot making designs in a sandtray!

-This video provides a nice peek into a play therapy session aimed at building a “growth mindset.”

-A novelist and activist has started a non-profit organization that builds playgrounds for children in Palestine. This is a great article about someone making a difference by bringing play into the lives of children who need it most.

-Play therapists in the San Francisco Bay Area might be interested in checking out some of these upcoming workshops offered by Connecting to Play Therapy. Find about more upcoming events across the globe in our research section.

-As this article illustrates, play therapy can be very useful in helping victims of sexual abuse.

-Small children, even babies, are not immune to threats to their mental health. This article explains why mental health care is important from infancy.

–This is a really great article about how play therapy works to help children with medical issues deal with the many physical and mental challenges that accompany those issues. It has a nice breakdown of the play room and the different toys used for every situation.

-Bibliotherapy is on the rise! The New Yorker posted a fascinating article on the many therapeutic benefits of sitting down with a good book.

-Here’s a very moving, personal story about a father who lost his wife and had to help guide his children through their grief while dealing with his own.

-In this thorough, well-researched article the author delves deep into the best intervention in cases of domestic violence.

Have a joyous July!

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Categories : Monthly Wrap-Up, Play Therapy news, Uncategorized

May Play Therapy Wrap-Up

Posted by Jacob Wilburn 
· May 31, 2015 
· No Comments

-The Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute and Learning Center had such success in 2013 and 2014 with their Art Therapy + Happiness Project they’ve decided to bring it back for 2015. This summer’s workshops will include lectures and lessons from Janet McLeod (New Zealand), Emily Johnson Welsh (USA), and Cathy Malchiodi (Guest Host/USA). Registration begins now!

-This is an inspiring story about an 86-year-old man who has become a special advocate for abused and neglected children in his community. In this volunteer role, he also uses play therapy with the children to help them communicate and heal.

-Earlier this month the NSPCC in Ireland and Hasbro Gaming held “The Really Big Board Game Day” to help children suffering from abuse and neglect by giving them the opportunity to participate in play therapy.

-The Pensacola News Journal ran a 4-part series earlier this month on child abuse. It really ventures deep into the prevalence of the issue and what can be done to curb and treat it, including the implementation of creative interventions such as play therapy and sand tray therapy.

-This is the sort of story a child therapist hates to see: Safe From the Start, a 12-year-old, state-funded program dedicated to helping children who are suffering from a wide range of traumas, is in danger of losing its funding.

-In a blog post earlier this month, the Southern Sandtray Institute named Sandtray Therapy: A Practical Manual (2nd Edition) by Linda E. Homeyer and Daniel S. Sweeney the “number one book on sandtray therapy.” I concur! And guess what? You can get this essential resource at ChildTherapyToys.com!

-Speaking of sandtray and ChildTherapyToys.com, here’s a video displaying an impressive collection of sandtray toys and miniatures, including many that were donated by CTT. You can browse all of our miniatures here.

-This was an interesting article written by a woman who has been through divorce and saw the many effects it had on her child. In the article, she highly recommends play therapy as a means of helping children through this difficult time.

-This is a great story about a man in British Columbia who was inspired to found a program to help children in Nepal through play therapy and other interventions.

-It’s very cool to see play therapists using the medium of podcasting to inform and get the message out about play therapy. Here’s one specific to Baltimore.

-The website of clinical counselor Kathy Eugster contains some great articles on a range of topics from sibling rivalry to play time.

-Here’s a great “Day in the life” of a play therapist working with abused children in the UK.

-This news story explains why the testimony’s of children should not be discounted in a court of law, and how play therapy can be used as a reliable tool for children to relate an experience.

Have a joyous June! And don’t forget to check out what’s new at ChildTherapyToys.com, like our great selection of sweat suit dolls and special needs equipment.

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Categories : Monthly Wrap-Up, Play Therapy news, Uncategorized, Wrap Up

April Play Therapy Wrap-Up

Posted by Jacob Wilburn 
· May 2, 2015 
· No Comments

-Therapy with puppets allows children to make sense of tough situations in a fun way. This article discusses treating trauma and children with puppetry.

-“The toys become their words”, says a child therapist who works with victims of abuse. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. This seems like a really great organization doing some important work with play therapy.

-And here’s another article about the success of an organization in Canada that provides help for victims of sexual abuse. It’s great to know that there are groups like this out there, and that they are adopting the use of play therapy more and more.

-The true power of books is in their relatability. When you read about a character who has similar experiences and feelings, it can be a great comfort. This is what makes bibliotherapy effective, and it’s nice to see that this power is being harnessed to help children in need.

-Depression is not exclusive to adults, and when a child is exhibiting signs of depression he or she is not always simply “going through a stage.” This article on childhood depression stresses the importance of recognizing its prevalence in children of all ages and intervening as early as possible.

-This is a great profile of a therapist who’s own journey and struggle led her to sand tray therapy. Now she is helping others with their troubles the same way she helped herself.

-Talking to children in grief is a very difficult, and the approaches to take depend on the situation, age of the child, and many other important factors. This article provides some guidelines for helping children manage their grief.

-A decade ago, Margo Ward launched a play therapy program called KidsXpress, which created a space for children dealing with traumas express themselves and heal through play. Now the program is extending its services to corporate teams hoping to utilize the intervention to improve their communication and teamwork.

-This news piece looks at an organization using sand tray therapy to help victims of sexual abuse.

-This is a thought-provoking interview about child abuse and the ineffectiveness of spanking.

-This video serves as a nice introduction to using sand tray therapy as bereavement intervention:

And here’s another in which a trained therapist explains how sand tray therapy works:

-Here’s an interesting article on using the DIR model of play therapy with children who have autism spectrum disorders.

-Lastly, we have another article on how sand tray therapy is helping children who have been victims of abuse.

Have a marvelous May!

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Categories : Monthly Wrap-Up, Play Therapy news, Uncategorized, Wrap Up

March Play Therapy Wrap-Up

Posted by Jacob Wilburn 
· March 31, 2015 
· No Comments

-One of the great things about the internet-age is our access to news outlets and information all over the globe. In this article in the Tehran Times, the reporter relates his experiences with Autistic societies in Iran, a place where there is little general information about the disorder and the challenges faced by autistic children and adults.

-The Autism Daily Newscast is an excellent resource for articles and information on autism, asperger’s, and what it’s like to live with with these issues. In this article, an aspergian woman discusses domestic violence and asperger’s syndrome.

-In this video, a class at Lesley University reenacts a play therapy session.

-The endless unrest along the Gaza strip has been a source of all kinds of devastation and misery for its inhabitants, especially the children. An activist group in Ireland has organized a Toy Drive to benefit these children, espousing a belief in the many benefits of play therapy for traumatized children and the general importance of play in child development.

-Just as a child is encouraged to exercise their creativity when participating in play therapy, so should the play therapist when they are conducting it. As this great article suggests, there is no limit to what therapy can do, but sometimes you have to take some risks and explore new territory.

-Here’s another great video from Pam Dyson, in which she illustrates how to use dry erase boards in play therapy:

-We also came across a new-to-us YouTube channel with some cool play therapy intervention ideas.

-This is another terrific installment in APT’s History Speaks interview series. It’s a great video for art therapists:

-It can be very difficult to get a child to comply with the x-ray or ultrasound processes and who can blame them–it can be an uncomfortable and tedious task. By providing a fun way to prepare for these procedures, a recently-developed app attempts to solve that problem and avoid the need for sedation.

-There is a lot of controversy surrounding the release of the first wifi-connected Barbie doll, and a play therapy practitioner wants it taken off the shelves.

-Anxiety disorders are so often attributed to adults that parents can often be at a loss when confronting serious anxiety issues in their children. This article answers many questions parents might have when seeking help for their child’s anxiety.

-An upcoming book posits that video games in the classroom could make students smarter!

-Be speaking through puppets, children can express their feelings, relate their experiences, and make sense of their home lives. Here’s a great article on these perfect play therapy tools.

Have a rejuvenating April, everyone!

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Categories : Monthly Wrap-Up, Play Therapy news, Wrap Up

February Play Therapy Wrap-Up

Posted by Jacob Wilburn 
· March 1, 2015 
· No Comments

-As you probably know, February kicked off with National Play Therapy Week from the 1st through the 8th of the month. The web was aflutter with blog posts, articles, news reports, and videos raising play therapy awareness . And don’t forget that every week is a good week to promote the powers of play therapy!

-A program in Ohio uses puppets to empower elementary students with disabilities. The program has been around since 1977 and teaches the concept that we are all unique and special in our own way.

–An Irish newspaper reports that children’s social and language skills are being negatively impacted by the use of iPads and other gadgets, so much so that one school has brought in a speech therapist to assess the situation. According to one expert, the first question he asks the parent of a child experiencing language difficulties is how much time they spend interacting with a screen.

-Attention Canadian play therapists! There will be a conference presented by the always-informative Paris Goodyear-Brown on April 17-18. It’s called ‘Putting the Pieces Together Through Play: Healing Trauma and Attachment Wounds’ and I have a feeling it’s going to be one you don’t want to miss! Check out more upcoming events at in our Resources section.

-Here’s a nice short video in which a practitioner explains the healing power of imaginative play.

-Autism is often accompanied by a Sensory Processing Disorder. In this article, a therapist explains how play therapy and “people games” can be used to treat both under-sensitivity and hyper-sensitivity.

-This is a very informative podcast in which a therapist discusses bullying and play therapy. Definitely worth a listen!

-Judy Rubin, also known as the “Art Lady” on Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood for three seasons, recently wrote and directed a documentary about what she learned from working with the man. In this article, she shares the history and experiences that led to her making the film.

-In this article an Arts Psychotherapists tells the story of how she came to embrace the profession, and the tools she uses–including sand tray therapy–to help youths affected by familial drug and alcohol abuse.

-Here’s a great article on how to bring an end to sibling rivalry in your home.

-Studies on using parental play therapy in homeless shelters have yielded some encouraging results.

-In this three-part video series, a therapist from the Southern Sandtray Institute explains the why, what, and how of Sandtray Therapy.

-A hospital in India has come up with a great way to help children relax before and during the process of a CT Scan. The children are told to make-believe the machine is a spaceship and they are astronauts going on a voyage. It seems like a much better option than sedation, and it’s a great example of how to use play therapy with children with medical conditions.

Have a magnificent March!

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Categories : Monthly Wrap-Up, Play Therapy news, Uncategorized, Wrap Up

January Play Therapy Wrap-Up

Posted by Jacob Wilburn 
· February 1, 2015 
· No Comments

-Getting noticed online these days is all about content, and therapy practices are no exception. Publishing articles or posting to a blog is a great way to make your practice stand out. Here are a few quick tips (from a therapist blog, of course) on doing just that.

-There was a fascinating article in the New Yorker this month about “Affective Computing”; the use of computers to read and interpret facial expressions and discern human emotions. Apparently the technology has been particularly successful in helping children with autism. By translating the facial expressions that the children couldn’t otherwise decode, their social and emotional competence can be greatly improved.

-Two children in Georgia coping with the unimaginable trauma of their mother’s murder at the hands of their father are being helped along with play therapy intervention.

-We have countless articles on the subject in the articles section, but here’s another great explanation of what play therapy is and how it can be used.

-A child born with a condition that left him with serious movement problems has learned to walk with the aid of a NASA-designed “space suit,” which corrects movements and reflexes. But it’s not space-age technology alone that’s helped Georgie take his first steps: “It’s all through play therapy so he doesn’t realise he’s doing any work.”

-Embrace Hope – Sandy Hook Assisted Equine Therapy is an organization started in response to the school shooting in 2012. This article explains the history and function of this great organization.

–This is a very interesting piece on what it’s like to use play therapy with prisoners.

-Looking for learning opportunities and continuing education credits from your home or office? Kids, Inc. has several webinars scheduled for March.

-This podcast episode about using natural play therapy for autism is well worth the twenty minutes!

-In defense of the mean kids! The mother of a “mean kid” tells her story of discovering the source of the “meanness” and addressing it through play therapy and other intervention methods.

-Statistics showing the number of children one-to-five years-old who have been exposed to violence are quite staggering. This article suggests that these children are not receiving the proper treatment they need due to a lack of mental health services available in preschools. It raises a good point: addressing these issues early could prevent worsening issues down the road, and it could save a lot of money and resources.

–This article agrees with the previous, and also details the steps that can be taken to treat childhood mental illness early on.

-This is a great story about a researcher who found additional support about the efficacy of play therapy.

-Another organization harnessing the power of LEGO to help children with social and emotional issues!

-I think this blogger says it well!

-We have updated our Puppet page at ChildTherapyToys.com. Come check out our extensive cast of characters!

Don’t forget that this week (2/1-2/7) is National Play Therapy Week! Do your part to boost awareness!

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Categories : Monthly Wrap-Up, Play Therapy news, Therapy Practices, Wrap Up
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