ABSTRACT THE INTEGRATION OF RELATIONAL PLAY THERAPY INTO INFANT MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT SERVICES FOR AT-RISK PRESCHOOLERS AND FAMILIES LIVING IN POVERTY By Jennifer L. Farley A mixed-method study was conducted to examine the process of integrating Relational Play Therapy (RPT) into Infant Mental Health (IMH) treatment services for at-risk preschoolers and families living in poverty. Interviews with parents and clinicians highlight the need for tailored treatment interventions and clinical supportive services to promote protective factors and reduce child and parent risk factors associated with living in poverty. Clinicians and parents reported a variety of RPT and IMH interventions and treatment models that were delivered within a consistent treatment process with four distinctive aspects, all of which heightened parental involvement. RPT interventions were used more often than IMH interventions and significant relationships between RPT and IMH models and other treatment interventions indicate a need for specialized techniques within Non-RPT treatment models or a need for clinicians to tailor Non-IMH treatment models to center on attachment reparation. The clinician-parent relationship served as a conduit to deliver treatment interventions and clinical supportive services. Within the context of a supportive clinical relationship, parents reported feeling more confident and empowered to advocate for their child to friends and family, which led to improved familial understanding, improved natural supports and fewer feelings of social isolation. Further development of the integrative model along with clinical, research and implications are examined.
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