The Role of Motivational Interviewing in Play Therapy.

Understanding Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a client-centered counseling style aimed at encouraging behavioral change by helping clients explore and resolve ambivalence. This approach is particularly effective in therapeutic settings, including play therapy, where children often communicate through play rather than words.

Implementing MI in Play Therapy

In play therapy, therapists create a safe environment where children can express themselves and explore their feelings. Integrating motivational interviewing within this context allows therapists to engage with the child, fostering a collaborative relationship.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) in Play Therapy – Multiple Choice Questions

Basic Concepts of MI in Play Therapy

1. What is the primary goal of using Motivational Interviewing (MI) in play therapy?
   a) To directly tell children what to do
   b) To help children explore and resolve ambivalence about change
   c) To enforce rules and discipline
   d) To make therapy sessions more structured
   Answer: b) To help children explore and resolve ambivalence about change
2. Which of the following best describes the “spirit” of MI in play therapy?
   a) Authority, compliance, persuasion, and correction
   b) Partnership, acceptance, compassion, and evocation
   c) Confrontation, instruction, guidance, and evaluation
   d) Motivation, reinforcement, discipline, and structure
   Answer: b) Partnership, acceptance, compassion, and evocation
3. Why is play therapy an effective medium for Motivational Interviewing with children?
   a) It allows children to express themselves in a non-verbal way
   b) It forces children to follow instructions
   c) It removes the need for verbal communication entirely
   d) It eliminates the need for a therapist’s intervention
   Answer: a) It allows children to express themselves in a non-verbal way
4. In MI-based play therapy, “ambivalence” refers to:
   a) A child’s refusal to play
   b) The child having mixed feelings about change
   c) The therapist’s uncertainty about the child’s needs
   d) Resistance that cannot be changed
   Answer: b) The child having mixed feelings about change

Key Techniques in MI and Play Therapy

5. Which of the following MI techniques is commonly used in play therapy?
   a) Reflective listening
   b) Direct instruction
   c) Confrontational questioning
   d) Forced compliance
   Answer: a) Reflective listening
6. How can a therapist encourage “change talk” in a child during play therapy?
   a) By pointing out the negative consequences of their behavior
   b) By reinforcing positive statements about their ability to change
   c) By giving rewards for compliance
   d) By ignoring ambivalence and focusing only on solutions
   Answer: b) By reinforcing positive statements about their ability to change
7. Which of the following is NOT a core skill in MI used during play therapy?
   a) Open-ended questions
   b) Affirmations
   c) Reflective listening
   d) Criticism
   Answer: d) Criticism
8. What role do affirmations play in MI-based play therapy?
   a) They reinforce a child’s strengths and efforts
   b) They serve as punishments for undesirable behavior
   c) They establish therapist authority over the child
   d) They force the child to change quickly
   Answer: a) They reinforce a child’s strengths and efforts
9. Which of the following is an example of reflective listening in MI-based play therapy?
   a) “You should stop acting out in school.”
   b) “It sounds like you’re feeling frustrated about what happened.”
   c) “Why don’t you try being nicer to your classmates?”
   d) “If you don’t change, you’ll get into trouble.”
   Answer: b) “It sounds like you’re feeling frustrated about what happened.”
10. A child in play therapy says, “I don’t know if I can stop fighting with my friends.” What is the best MI-based response?
    a) “If you keep fighting, you’ll lose all your friends.”
    b) “You feel unsure about whether you can change, but you want to.”
    c) “You should try harder to control your temper.”
    d) “Why do you keep fighting?”
    Answer: b) “You feel unsure about whether you can change, but you want to.”

Stages of Change & MI Implementation in Play Therapy

11. In MI, which stage of change involves a child acknowledging a problem but feeling uncertain about changing?
    a) Precontemplation
    b) Contemplation
    c) Preparation
    d) Action
    Answer: b) Contemplation
12. How can MI be integrated into non-directive play therapy?
    a) By using toys and activities to reflect the child’s feelings and thoughts
    b) By telling the child how they should behave
    c) By directing the play to specific goals
    d) By limiting the child’s choices during play
    Answer: a) By using toys and activities to reflect the child’s feelings and thoughts
13. A child is resistant to discussing their feelings in play therapy. What is the best MI-based approach?
    a) Force them to talk about their emotions
    b) Change the subject immediately
    c) Roll with resistance and explore their concerns gently
    d) Tell them they need to open up or they won’t improve
    Answer: c) Roll with resistance and explore their concerns gently
14. How can a therapist use toys in MI-based play therapy?
    a) To encourage the child to act out scenarios related to change
    b) To discipline the child when they misbehave
    c) To create structured lessons about behavior change
    d) To distract the child from emotional topics
    Answer: a) To encourage the child to act out scenarios related to change
15. Which MI principle is most important when working with children in play therapy?
    a) Expressing empathy
    b) Correcting their behavior
    c) Pushing them toward change
    d) Providing strict instructions
    Answer: a) Expressing empathy

Practical Applications of MI in Play Therapy

16. Why is MI particularly helpful for children struggling with behavior issues?
a) It helps them build their own motivation for positive change
b) It forces them to follow rules
c) It eliminates their need for emotional expression
d) It makes them comply with adult expectations
Answer: a) It helps them build their own motivation for positive change

17. A child says, “I don’t want to listen to my teacher because she’s mean!” What is an MI-consistent response?
a) “If you don’t listen, you’ll get in trouble.”
b) “You feel that your teacher is unfair, and that makes it hard to listen.”
c) “You should respect your teacher no matter what.”
d) “That’s not a good attitude to have.”
Answer: b) “You feel that your teacher is unfair, and that makes it hard to listen.”

18.Which MI strategy helps children explore both the benefits and challenges of change?
a) Decisional balance
b) Directive talk
c) Role-play
d) Time-out
Answer: a) Decisional balance

19.A child in play therapy is hesitant to engage in an activity. How can an MI-based therapist respond?
a) “You seem unsure about trying this game. What’s on your mind?”
b) “You have to do this activity to get better.”
c) “Just play the game—it’s not a big deal.”
d) “If you don’t participate, we can’t continue the session.”
Answer: a) “You seem unsure about trying this game. What’s on your mind?”

20. What is the best way to promote self-motivation in MI-based play therapy?
a) Encouraging children to find their own reasons for change
b) Giving rewards for good behavior
c) Using authority to direct their actions
d) Enforcing strict behavior rules
Answer: a) Encouraging children to find their own reasons for change