Sample interview questions: How do you approach play therapy sessions with children who have experienced recent traumatic events or crises?
Sample answer:
Approaching Play Therapy Sessions with Traumatized Children:
- Establish a Safe and Trusting Environment:
- Create a calm and welcoming space where the child feels comfortable and secure.
- Foster a relationship based on empathy, understanding, and respect.
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Establish clear boundaries and expectations to ensure a sense of safety.
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Build Rapport and Collaborate:
- Allow the child to lead the play and choose materials that resonate with them.
- Observe and listen attentively to their nonverbal cues and utterances.
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Collaborate with the child to identify their needs and goals for therapy.
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Graduated Exposure and Regulation:
- Gently guide the child to engage with play materials or activities that may evoke memories of the traumatic event.
- Regulate the intensity and duration of exposure to avoid overwhelming the child.
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Provide coping mechanisms and strategies for managing difficult emotions.
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Play as a Metaphor for Trauma:
- Use play as a symbolic representation of the child’s experiences.
- Enc… Read full answer