Sample interview questions: How do you handle situations where a child engages in play that reenacts traumatic or distressing experiences during therapy?
Sample answer:
- Establish a Strong Therapeutic Relationship:
- Build trust and rapport with the child through consistent, empathetic, and non-judgmental interactions.
-
Validate the child’s experiences, emotions, and perspective to foster a safe and supportive environment.
-
Observe and Assess the Child’s Play:
- Pay attention to the child’s behavior, choice of toys, themes, and narratives during play.
-
Identify patterns and recurring elements that may indicate reenactment of traumatic or distressing experiences.
-
Use Play to Explore and Process Emotions:
- Encourage the child to express their emotions safely and symbolically through play.
-
Help the child label and identify their feelings, promoting emotional awareness and regulation.
-
Provide Supportive and Guided Play:
- Offer age-appropriate toys and materials that facilitate exploration and expression.
-
Use open-ended questions and prompts to encourage the child to elaborate on their play and narratives.
-
Foster Playful Containment and Safety:
- Create a safe and contained space for the child to explore and process their experiences.
-
Set clear boundaries and limits to ensure the child’s safety and well-being.
- … Read full answer