Projective Techniques
Projective techniques are named for the fact that they are used to interpret and increase understanding of the emotional dynamics driving your child's thoughts, emotions, and behavior that he “projects” to the world. For example, a child with anxiety might perceive danger or failure when shown a relatively neutral picture of a family. Projective techniques have a twofold purpose: to investigate, and to provide direction for therapy. Projective techniques help you and your child's therapist understand your child's experiences and identify themes that are used to direct therapy so that it will be most helpful for him. More information on play techniques in therapy is to come in Chapters 8 and 9.
Fact
Keep in mind that the younger your child, the more likely it will be for the therapist to use projective techniques in evaluation and treatment. These techniques are powerful and effective for children because they are more symbolic and less verbally loaded, and meet younger children at the appropriate developmental level.
Play
Play is used to assess and treat children and even some adolescents. Play is helpful in both evaluating and treating children because it allows adults to “speak the same language” of the child with whom they are interacting. Therapeutic play is different than “regular” play in that therapists are trained to use the symbols, metaphors, and themes your child introduces into her play to empathize with and assist her in removing anxiety roadblocks. Because play is highly subjective and open to interpretation, you will want to make sure that your provider has had adequate training in the use of play for assessment and therapy.
Art
Art materials used by play-oriented therapists include clay, paper, paint, glue, chalk, beads, collage work, bookmaking, and any other medium your child is interested in. Your child's artistic expressions can be a great way for him to communicate his fears, needs, and motivations in therapy. Kids also gain a sense of mastery as they complete projects and receive positive feedback on them.
Stories
Storytelling, like the sentence completion technique described previously, provides a blank canvas upon which your child can project his wishes, fears, and areas of vulnerability. Tandem storytelling, in which your child and the therapist create a story together, can provide a sense of camaraderie and mastery, as the story helps your therapist more fully understand your child's inner life. The Children's Apperception Test is an evaluation technique in which a child creates stories based on standard picture cards the therapist presents.
Question?
Does your child love to draw, write, or create projects?
If so, this can be a special window into your child's true desires and motivations. Ask your child about her drawings and, without judgment, be positive and supportive about what she's presenting. If she is in therapy, she may wish to share her creations with her therapist as well.
Games
Many therapists use games to provide a nonthreatening approach for your child to identify, discuss, and resolve problem areas. Games are useful in that they require structured interaction with the therapist and can point to anxious patterns of interaction such as a need for control or intolerance for feedback. Therapeutic games also help therapists and children identify themes such as family and school, which are areas of special concern. There is a plethora of therapeutic games, and therapists that are more creative will often develop games with a child to clarify and address particular concerns. Games that allow children to identify and express feelings or to answer self-searching questions improve their ability to assert their opinions and take pride in them.
