Play interview therapy: its history, theory and practice--a fifty year retrospective account.

The method of the play interview offers the fearful child an opportunity to express himself by speaking for a series of dolls representing siblings, parents, teachers or himself. It is not the child who is aggressive, fearful, jealous or desires the parent's affection, but the doll. In this manner, the child learns to make connections between his fears and his unacceptable "bad" thoughts, feelings or wishes. Improvement occurs after several play interviews.