THEMES
A child utilizes the kitchen to cook and prepare food for the therapist and a baby doll, then encourages the therapist to eat. What theme is this?
Nurturing Theme
Provide an example of tracking
-you decided to play with that now
-you're putting that in there
-you are wondering what to play with next
You are meeting a child for the first time. After making introductions, it is time for you and the child to go back to the playroom, what do you say?
"Let's go see the toys"
A child is exploring the toys in the room and asks you "what do you want to play with?" What do you say?
In here, it is up to you to decide what to play with
1. How do you know when a play therapy client is done processing their trauma?
2. How do you know a client is showing a theme?
1. When they have not engaged in trauma play for three consecutive sessions
2. When they repeat the play in multiple sessions, and the intensity of the play.
A child creates a large circle of various animals all facing towards the middle. The child then chooses two animals at a time to go to the middle and angrily smashes them together and creates a fight scene. What theme is this?
Aggression Theme
Provide an example of limit setting
-I'm not for hitting, you can hit the bop bag instead
-the table is not for painting, you can paint the paper instead
-sand is for staying in the sand box
A child comes toward you with the plastic knife and raises it to strike you with it. What do you say?
"I'm not for hitting, you can hit the bop bag"
You and a child are playing candy land, and the child is cheating in the game. Provide a reflection
-winning is really important to you
-you really don't like to lose
What is the difference between direct play therapy and indirect play therapy? Provide examples of each
Direct: The therapist sets out with specific interventions and goals in mind. During the play sessions, the therapist knows where they want to take the discussion. Example: Table Time activities
Indirect: The therapist is flexible and is willing to go where the child’s play takes them. Example: Play time after Table Time
A child handcuffs the therapist, points the gun at them, and tells them to get in jail. What theme is this?
Power and Control Theme
Provide an example of choices
-You can choose to do Table Time at the beginning of the session, or in the middle of session.
-You can choose to hop back to the lobby, or skip back to the lobby.
You are in the playroom with the child and it is the first session. What are some of the key things to say during the first session?
-confidentiality
-this is a safe space
-why they are coming here
-normalize other kids coming here
-discuss structure: Table Time, and coming weekly
A child is playing basketball, and makes several attempts to make a basket, but fails multiple times. Provide a reflection
-you are trying really hard
-you're determined to make a basket
What do you do if your play client does not include you in their play?
-respect their boundaries and do not insert yourself in their play
-continue to move about the room with them and track their play
While therapist reads a book about trauma, the client fills up the baby bottle and sucks on the bottle while therapist continues to read. What theme is this?
Self Soothing or Regression
Provide a reflection of feeling for the following scenario:
7 year old female sexual abuse client is hitting the kinetic sand with a hammer over and over again.
-you feel so powerful
-you're showing me how strong you are
After making art work in session, a child shows you their artwork and asks you “do you like it?” What is your response?
-it is important to you that I like your artwork
-it is more important if you like it
-tell me more about your art
-I see you added this up here, and this over there (describe the art)
A child is feeding, clothing, and taking care of a baby doll. Provide a reflection
-you are taking really good care of the baby. I wonder who takes care of you at home.
1. What is the purpose of limit setting?
2. What does ACT stand for?
1. Protect the child, protect the therapist, protect the toys, anchor the session to reality, and structure
2. Acknowledge the feeling, communicate the limit, and target the alternative
A child spends several minutes engaging in the cash register, pressing several buttons, and opening and closing the drawer multiple times. What theme is this?
Mastery Themes
Provide a reflection of meaning for the following scenario:
4 year old male physical abuse client is playing out a scene of a dinosaur being attacked by another animal and being cut by a knife. Then he utilizes the doctors kit on the hurt dinosaur.
-you really wish someone was there to help you when you were hurt
-you were hurt once and had to get help too
A child spends several minutes attempting to find a missing piece to a toy, and does not succeed. The child becomes frustrated and paces the room, their fists are balled up, and their breathing is irregular. What do you do?
-the child is dysregulated, and needs to be engaged in co-regulation skills
-For example: get down on their level, hold their hands if comfortable, and deep breathe together. Once regulated, reflect the feelings
If a child is struggling with something in the playroom (struggling to open a playdough lid, put the police station on the floor, etc) do you help them?
No you do not help them, unless they ask.
-If you think the kid can do it, say "that is something you can do"
-You can tell them “if you need help, you can ask me” and then if they ask for help you can say “thank you for asking for help when you needed it"
What is the purpose of guns and knives in the playroom?
-normalize that feelings of aggression are allowed and normal (absence of these toys may lead them to believe that these feelings are not okay)
-allow them to release aggressive feelings in a safe environment
-able to test limits within a safe therapeutic environment and improve self control
-can build a sense of competence, confidence, and self-efficacy