SPT Research
Synergetic Play Therapy® (2008) is a researched-informed model of play therapy blending the therapeutic power of play with nervous system regulation, interpersonal neurobiology, physics, attachment, mindfulness, and therapist authenticity.
It grew from personal experience as well as research in neuroscience, Interpersonal Neurobiology, and attachment theory.
SPT Research
Synergetic Play Therapy® (2008) is a researched-informed model of play therapy blending the therapeutic power of play with nervous system regulation, interpersonal neurobiology, physics, attachment, mindfulness, and therapist authenticity.
It grew from personal experience as well as research in neuroscience, Interpersonal Neurobiology, and attachment theory.
The Synergetic Play Therapy Foundation has a Research Development Team that oversees on-going research regarding various aspects of Synergetic Play Therapy.
The overarching goal of the Synergetic Play Therapy Foundation’s research initiative is to:
Demonstrate an increase in well-being for professionals using Synergetic Play Therapy
Build awareness of the powerful impact of attunement and regulation in the playroom
Demonstrate the physiological benefits to a child’s nervous system when receiving this type of play therapy
Demonstrate positive impact on parent-child relationships, child behavior, and emotional regulation
Synergetic Play Therapy (2008) is a researched-informed model of play therapy blending the therapeutic power of play with nervous system regulation, interpersonal neurobiology, physics, attachment, mindfulness, and therapist authenticity.
It grew from personal experience as well as research in neuroscience, Interpersonal Neurobiology, and attachment theory.
Current Research Focus
Examining the Impact of SPT on Reducing Compassion Fatigue in SPT Providers
Compassion fatigue refers to an identifiable set of negative psychological symptoms that caregivers experience as a result of providing care while being exposed to either primary trauma (experiencing the trauma first hand) or secondary trauma (rendering care to those experiencing trauma) (Figley, 1995). Mental health professionals are at a higher risk of developing compassion fatigue (Turgoose & Maddox, 2017).
To date, very little research has focused on the role of compassion fatigue in play therapists. The proposed study seeks to explore the role of compassion fatigue in Certified Synergetic Play Therapists and those who are studying to become Certified Synergetic Play Therapists. For this study, the research team utilized both quantitative and qualitative data for certified SPT therapists, as well as pre/post surveys for a certification cohort.
SPT Foundation’s Future Research Initiatives will look to:
- Examine how SPT impacts parent/child relationship quality, indicators of parent regulation and co-regulation, child mental health and biological markers of stress and regulation in the child
- Evaluate the efficacy of SPT compared to a control group
Research Team
Sarah Ascienzo, PhD, LCSW
