Play Therapy Documentation Essentials

A Child-Centered Approach to Case Conceptualization and Treatment Planning

By Rosie Newman, MA, LMHC, RPT-S™

Finally—documentation that supports your values and your clients.

Therapists don’t usually love documentation. Intake forms, treatment plans, progress notes, and termination summaries often feel like they pull us away from the real work—especially in Child-Centered Play Therapy, where the child (not the behavior) leads the process.

But what if documentation could reflect your clinical intuition, strengthen your connection to the child, and still meet the expectations of insurance companies and caregivers?

This book shows you how.

Play Therapy Documentation Essentials combines theory, clinical storytelling, visuals, and practical guidance to help you document with clarity and purpose.

What’s inside:

- Visuals, stories, and playroom examples to support theme recognition and case conceptualization
- A simple, flexible framework for organizing treatment plans grounded in CCPT
- Templates, sample language, and tools designed for real-world practice
- An objectives and interventions bank that meets clinical standards without losing the heart of the work
- A 12-session case example that shows how to track progress, connect it to your treatment plan, and explain growth to caregivers and provider
- Clear guidance on how change occurs in play therapy—and how to communicate it with confidence

Who it’s for:

Play therapists using non-directive or child-led approaches
Clinicians navigating documentation for insurance, schools, or agencies
Supervisors training students or early career therapists
Anyone who wants to feel more confident and clear when writing notes

About the Author

Rosie Newman, MA, LMHC, RPT™ is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor based in Seattle. She is the founder of Seattle Play Therapy, where she provides therapy services, supervision, and training. Rosie developed the Child-Centered Documentation (CCD) framework to help play therapists bring clarity and purpose to their clinical notes. Through her practice and her role as adjunct faculty at Seattle University, she enjoys supporting clinicians in finding more confidence and ease with documentation.

Endorsements

“An amazing book for all Play Therapists! Whether you're experienced or just starting out, Rosie’s child-centered documentation provides in-depth knowledge on treatment planning and case notes, seamlessly connecting playroom experiences to documentation. You'll no longer procrastinate or feel overwhelmed—writing treatment plans and case notes will become clear and purposeful!”

"This book is an invaluable and foundational resource for play therapists. Rosie Newman demystifies documentation with clarity and relevance, making it both accessible and ethically grounded. Her approach highlights the effectiveness and clinical validity of Child-Centered Play Therapy. A long-overdue tool that brings structure and confidence to a task many clinicians find daunting."

"This book is an essential contribution to the field of play therapy, offering a fresh and invaluable perspective. Through her innovative Child-Centered Documentation Framework, she provides an approach to note-taking that allows therapists to focus on both symptom change and the child’s internal growth. While rooted in the Child-Centered Play Therapy model, this framework is a versatile tool that can be applied to any play therapy modality."

“Rosie Newman’s book Play Therapy Documentation Essentials is an invaluable play therapy manual that offers a wealth of tools and templates designed to deepen your understanding of case conceptualization and enhance your ability to communicate the change process inherent to Child Centered Play Therapy. A must-have resource for any play therapist committed to thoughtful, evidence-based care.”

"This book should be at the fingertips of every child-centered play therapist whether a student, a new or seasoned practitioner.  This is a user-friendly book on treatment planning that satisfies the requirements of the payers of service. I predict the book will be used and reused countless times as a guide to writing and communicating practical and helpful treatment plans."

Pre-order now available!

Book coming out on August 12, 2025

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