Assignment 3- Structuring the Play Therapy Session & Limit Setting

Imagine that you are a play therapist who is navigating through each of these scenarios with your client. On the line provided, type what you would say to the child given the phase of the play therapy relationship you are in. The phases are labeled in bold print prior to the scenario

Opening-Example: Hi Tom! My name is Dr. Howard and I am a play therapist. Today I will introduce you to a very special room that I call the play room. There are lots of toys and games in this room that you will be able to play with. You can pretty much do anything in here. If there is something you can't do, I will tell you...

On the lineprovided below, type what you would say to a child client to start the play therapy session.

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Limit Setting-On the line provided below, type what you state to a client given the following circumstances.

Level 1

Your client is continuing to do something that you have told them previously that they can not do. What would you state to your client? Example: Xavier you really like the way the sand feels. Remember, the sand is not for throwing on the walls, however you can toss it around in the sand tray or put it in a container in the sand tray.

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Level 2

Despite your previous attempt at limit setting, your client continues to throw sand against the wall in the play therapy room. What would you state to address this limit. Example: Xavier, remember before I told you that the sand was not for the walls. If you continue to throw sand on the walls, our session will be over for today. You are mad that I will not let you throw the sand on the wall, but you can toss the sand in the sand tray as long as you would like.

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Level 3

Your client refuses to stop engaging in the act that you have set limits for after your level one and two warnings. How will you address this? What will you state to your client? Example: Xavier, our session is over for today. I know that you are angry that you have to go, but our time has come to an end.

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Time

How will you notify your clients that they have 5 minutes left in accordance to the "5 minute" warning?

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Closing

What will you state to close the session with your client?

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Reference: Landreth, G. (2023). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (4th ed.). NY: Brunner-Routledge.