What is the definition Kottman (2011) gives for returning responsibility to the child (p. 163) - Answers
Letting children know that they have the capacity for successfully executing the behavior or making the
decision in question
What are the four goals outlined for returning responsibility to the child? - Answers -to empower the
children
-to convey that the therapist believes that they can be successful
-to promote problem-solving skills
-to give them an experience of trying something that they might not usually attempt.
When has responsibility successfully been returned to the child? What three things should it lead to?
What is not considered 'success' in this regard? - Answers -Success is allowing child to handle
consequences of their own choices- leading to increased independence, self-responsibility, creativity
What are the two categories of returning resposibility? - Answers -behavior
-decisions
what are the three situations within play therapy in which returning responsibility could be appropriate?
- Answers 1. explicitly asking for help
2. implies a need for help
3. when the therapist feels a need to help the child
Be able to identify examples of questions/statements of these three situations and two categories -
Answers
what are the three main styles of returning responsibility? - Answers 1. direct
2. indirect
3. a combination
what is the direct approach? How might it be applied? - Answers -the therapist expressly tells children
that it is up to them to execute the behavior or make the choice without assistance
-simply tell the child
-make a guess about the child's implicit ask for help and then make a direct claim
-make an encouraging remark
-reflect feelings
, what are the four versions of the indirect approach? - Answers -using the child's metaphor
-using minimal encouragers
-restating content, reflecting feelings, or tracking
-applying the whisper technique
What are four situations when it may not be appropriate to return responsibility to the child? - Answers
-the therapist believes that the child is not capable of taking responsibility for the behavior
-the child is engaging in regressive behavior
-the child's history indicates that the child may need someone to take care of him or her in certain
situations
-the child's life is not going particularly well, and the child needs special nurturing for a limited period of
time
What is the general consensus as to the use of returning responsibility to the child? - Answers -return
resposibility when a child asks the therapist to do something the child CAN do without help
-child asks the therapist to make a decision that the child has not attempted to make alone
What are the four categories of questions children might ask?
with examples - Answers 1. practical questions
ex: what time is it?
2. Personal questions?
ex: Are you married?
3. Relationship questions
ex: do you play with other kids in this room?
4. Ongoing-process questions
ex: can you guess what I am drawing?
When the question seems to be a straightforward request for information, what is usually the most
sensible strategy for dealing with these questions? - Answers -just answer the question directly
what are some practical suggestions for answering the child's straightforward requests for information?
- Answers -brief
-straightforward