Question 1

Empathic responses identify and make the child aware of his or her:

Accepted Answer

Empathic responses involve identifying and acknowledging a child's thoughts, feelings, and intentions. It is important to address all aspects of the child's experience in order to fully validate and support them.

Question 2

If the child tries to correct the therapist's empathic response, the therapist should ignore the correction and restate the empathic response more strongly so as to help the child not avoid their true feelings.

Accepted Answer

If the child tries to correct the therapist's empathic response, the therapist should listen and acknowledge the child's perspective, rather than simply ignoring it and pushing their own empathic response. This can help to build trust and increase the child's willingness to express their true feelings.

Question 3

Which is not an example of an empathic statement that acknowledges relationship:

Accepted Answer

"You are really proud of your drawing" does not acknowledge the relationship between the speaker and the listener.

Question 4

If, in making an empathic response, the child corrects or reacts defensively, the therapist should:

Accepted Answer

If the child corrects or reacts defensively, it is important for the therapist to acknowledge and accept the correction. This shows the child that their perspective is valued and heard. It also helps to create a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship. Ignoring the correction or reacting with a more intense response may invalidate the child's feelings or cause them to feel overwhelmed.

Question 5

Tracking responses…

Accepted Answer

Tracking responses demonstrate the therapist's interest in and valuing of the child by showing that the therapist is actively listening and paying attention to what the child is saying and doing. It also helps the child understand that the choices they are making are acceptable in the playroom and are not being limited, which can increase the child's sense of autonomy and control in the therapeutic process. Therefore, both options A and B are correct.

Question 6

According to the authors, the optimal opening statement for CCPT is, "[Child's name], this is a special room. In here you may say anything you want, and you may do almost anything you want. If there is something you may not do, I will let you know."

Accepted Answer

According to the authors of CCPT, the optimal opening statement is, "[Child's name], this is a special room. In here you may say anything you want, and you may do almost anything you want. If there is something you may not do, I will let you know."

Question 7

The word "play" is not used in the opening statement because

Accepted Answer

All of the given options are valid reasons why the word "play" is not used in the opening statement. It may be inhibiting to older children who feel they have outgrown play, it can connote different meanings, and some children may feel comfortable beginning with talk instead of play. Therefore, all options are correct.

Question 8

Creating a structure for children's play or actions in CCPT is a violation of the need to respect and accept the child.

Accepted Answer

In Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), the therapist provides a structured environment with clear boundaries and a consistent framework, which is essential for creating a safe and therapeutic space. This structure does not violate the need to respect and accept the child; instead, it supports the child's freedom to explore and express themselves within a safe and predictable environment.

Question 9

If a child is in the middle of a play theme that is seems clearly productive to the therapist, the session should be extended because a child cannot be responsible for her use of time

Accepted Answer

While a productive play theme is important and should be explored, it is important to respect the child's time and not extend the session without their agreement or consent. It is important for the therapist to discuss with the child and their caregiver about the length and goals of the therapy session.

Question 10

Which of the following is not part of an "empathy sandwich?"

Accepted Answer

The condiment in an empathy sandwich is meant to be something positive to balance the firm limit being set, such as offering alternative activities or reassurance. However, a sweet relish is not a typical condiment choice for a sandwich and therefore does not fit with the analogy of an empathy sandwich.

Question 11

Maintaining a structure and asserting limits when needed makes CCPT a cold and impersonal process.

Accepted Answer

While maintaining structure and setting limits is important in CCPT, it is also crucial to establish a warm and caring relationship with the client. A warm and supportive environment fosters trust and encourages clients to engage in the treatment process, leading to better outcomes. Therefore, CCPT should not be cold and impersonal, but rather a balance between structure and warmth.

Question 12

As empathy should be a constant in CCPT (a constant striving of the therapist, if not constantly stated), "empathy sandwiches" are a natural product of a need for a limit of perhaps unsafe behavior, within a relationship steeped in empathy.

Accepted Answer

Empathy sandwiches are a way to provide feedback that includes both empathy and limits on behavior, and are used in the context of a therapeutic relationship that emphasizes empathy as a constant value.

Question 13

Common growth areas for new child-centered play therapists around limits and structuring often include

Accepted Answer

New child-centered play therapists often face challenges in several areas related to limits and structuring, including forgetting to maintain empathy when setting limits, struggling with the balance of how many limits to set, failing to make limits specific and understandable, and misunderstanding that limits can indeed include qualities of behavior.

Quiz 4: The Two Core Therapist Skills; Creating an Optimum Environment for Therapy Through Structuring and Limit-Setting