RPT Play Therapy Theories & Techniques 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The 'mutual storytelling technique' developed by Richard Gardner involves:
- Both therapist and child building a sand tray world together
- The child telling a story that the therapist retells with healthier adaptive messages (Correct answer)
- Parent and child co-authoring a therapeutic narrative
- The therapist narrating the child's play without interruption
Correct answer: The child telling a story that the therapist retells with healthier adaptive messages
Gardner's mutual storytelling technique has the therapist listen to the child's story, identify its psychological theme, then retell it with a healthier resolution.
Question 2: In prescriptive play therapy, treatment decisions are PRIMARILY based on:
- The therapist's preferred theoretical orientation
- Empirical evidence matching specific interventions to specific child presentations (Correct answer)
- The child's spontaneous preference for play materials
- The parents' stated goals for the child
Correct answer: Empirical evidence matching specific interventions to specific child presentations
Prescriptive play therapy (Schaefer) selects techniques empirically, matching the best-supported intervention to each child's specific problem.
Question 3: Which theoretical model uses the concept of 'projected feelings' onto miniature figures in the sand as a primary healing mechanism?
- Theraplay
- Sandplay therapy (Kalff's Jungian model) (Correct answer)
- Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy
- Adlerian play therapy
Correct answer: Sandplay therapy (Kalff's Jungian model)
Dora Kalff's Jungian sandplay therapy holds that projecting inner content onto miniatures in a 'free and protected space' facilitates deep psychic healing.
Question 4: The primary distinction between 'directive' and 'non-directive' play therapy lies in:
- The age range of children who can participate
- Who structures the content and direction of the play — therapist or child (Correct answer)
- Whether parents are present during the session
- The physical setting and materials provided
Correct answer: Who structures the content and direction of the play — therapist or child
In directive play therapy the therapist selects and structures activities, while in non-directive play therapy the child leads and the therapist follows.
Question 5: Exposure-based play therapy for phobias typically incorporates which behavioral principle?
- Positive reinforcement of avoidance behaviors
- Systematic desensitization and graduated exposure within a play context (Correct answer)
- Unconditional positive regard and empathic reflection
- Archetypal symbol interpretation
Correct answer: Systematic desensitization and graduated exposure within a play context
Exposure-based play therapy uses graduated exposure hierarchies embedded in play to reduce conditioned fear responses through habituation.
Question 6: A play therapist notices a child consistently assigns the role of 'victim' to a small animal figure. Using an object relations lens, this MOST likely represents:
- A deliberate attempt to entertain the therapist
- Externalization of an internalized self- or object-representation onto the toy (Correct answer)
- A literal re-enactment of a witnessed event
- Random selection of play themes unrelated to the child's inner world
Correct answer: Externalization of an internalized self- or object-representation onto the toy
Object relations theory holds that children project internalized self- and object-representations onto figures in play, revealing relational schemas.
Question 7: In Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy (TF-CBT), the PRACTICE acronym includes which play-integrated component?
- Projective drawing and sandplay assessment
- Trauma narrative development using expressive and play-based methods (Correct answer)
- Peer role-play to rehearse social skills
- Puppet-based psychoeducation about medication
Correct answer: Trauma narrative development using expressive and play-based methods
TF-CBT's trauma narrative component often uses drawings, puppets, or other play media to help children construct and process their trauma story.
RPT Play Therapy Theories & Techniques 4
The 'mutual storytelling technique' developed by Richard Gardner involves: