18- Intensive and Short-Term Child-Centered Play Therapy (Checklist)

Chapter 18: (pp. 395-409)

Answer: C. To match the child’s emotional needs and processing capacity

Explanation: Intensive CCPT emphasizes condensing the time between sessions to meet the child’s emotional needs (especially after trauma), recognizing that children may process therapeutic experiences differently than adults.

What is the primary rationale for intensive scheduling of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)?

A. To allow the therapist to control the pace of therapy
B. To accelerate the child’s developmental growth artificially
C. To match the child’s emotional needs and processing capacity
D. To reduce the total number of therapy sessions

Answer: A. A week can feel too long for a child experiencing trauma

Explanation: For children experiencing crises (e.g., abuse, divorce, disaster), waiting a week between sessions can be overwhelming, making intensive scheduling more appropriate.

Why might the traditional once-a-week play therapy schedule be insufficient for children in crisis?

A. A week can feel too long for a child experiencing trauma
B. Children prefer shorter sessions
C. Parents may not be available weekly
D. Therapists cannot observe progress in only one week

Answer: C. Allow the child to lead at their own pace

Explanation: CCPT requires the therapist to trust the child’s inner direction, avoid directing or structuring play, and allow the child to explore at their own emotional pace.

In child-centered play therapy, what is the therapist’s role during play?

A. Direct the child to re-enact traumatic experiences
B. Encourage structured play for faster results
C. Allow the child to lead at their own pace
D. Use verbal questioning to identify trauma

Answer: B. Intensive CCPT significantly improved self-concept and reduced behavior problems

Explanation: Studies showed that short-term intensive CCPT led to significant improvements in self-concept and reduction of internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Group and individual CCPT were found equally effective.

Research on intensive CCPT in domestic violence shelters (Kot et al., 1998; Tyndall-Lind et al., 2001) found:

A. Intensive CCPT was less effective than long-term therapy
B. Intensive CCPT significantly improved self-concept and reduced behavior problems
C. Group CCPT was ineffective compared to individual CCPT
D. CPRT was not beneficial compared to professional therapy

Answer: B. CPRT-trained parents can be as effective as professional counselors

Explanation: Research (Smith & Landreth, 2003) showed that CPRT-trained parents were as therapeutically effective as professional counselors in reducing child behavior problems and increasing parental empathy.

Which of the following findings about Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) is most significant?

A. CPRT requires more sessions than CCPT
B. CPRT-trained parents can be as effective as professional counselors
C. CPRT is only effective for children under age 6
D. CPRT has limited research support

Answer: C. Severe emotional problems or prolonged abuse

Explanation: Children with severe trauma or prolonged abuse usually require longer-term therapy, while short-term CCPT is effective for milder to moderate difficulties.

Short-term CCPT (10–12 sessions or fewer) is generally not recommended for:

A. School-related learning problems
B. Developmental issues
C. Severe emotional problems or prolonged abuse
D. Self-concept difficulties

Answer: A. Adopted children showed reduced behavior problems after 7 CPRT play sessions

Explanation: CPRT studies (Carnes-Holt & Bratton, 2014; Opiola & Bratton, 2018) demonstrated that adopted children improved significantly after only seven play sessions, with reductions in externalized behaviors and improved parent-child relationships.

Which of the following demonstrates the effectiveness of short-term CCPT?

A. Adopted children showed reduced behavior problems after 7 CPRT play sessions
B. Children with prolonged abuse completely recovered after 2 sessions
C. Therapists controlled the play sessions to speed results
D. Short-term CCPT only improved academic performance, not emotional issues

Answer: B. 2–3 sessions may be sufficient for some children

Explanation: Studies summarized indicate that even as few as 2–3 sessions can help children cope and begin resolving emotional issues, highlighting the power of the therapeutic relationship.

What does the research suggest about the minimum number of play therapy sessions that can still yield positive results?

A. At least 20 sessions are always necessary
B. 2–3 sessions may be sufficient for some children
C. Only long-term therapy produces significant change
D. Fewer than 10 sessions are ineffective

Answer: C. Symbolic play allows emotional distancing from the trauma

Explanation: Children process trauma symbolically in play, creating emotional distance that prevents overwhelm, especially when sessions are closely spaced.

Why does intensive play therapy help children process traumatic events?

A. Children verbally analyze and label their trauma
B. Frequent sessions prevent avoidance behaviors
C. Symbolic play allows emotional distancing from the trauma
D. The therapist interprets the trauma for the child

Answer: B. They serve as a predictable routine and safe outlet

Explanation: Short, frequent sessions (15–30 min) provide children with a consistent routine and safe symbolic space to regain control during chaos.

Following a catastrophic disaster, what role can short, frequent play therapy sessions play?

A. They substitute for academic instruction
B. They serve as a predictable routine and safe outlet
C. They encourage children to talk openly about the event
D. They help parents learn therapy skills immediately

Answer: C. Dr. Yumiko Ogawa’s CCPT workshops after the 2011 Japan tsunami

Explanation: After the 2011 tsunami, Dr. Yumiko Ogawa trained therapists in CCPT disaster response through JAPT and UNICEF partnerships.

Which of the following international responses involved CCPT in disaster settings?

A. Training refugee children in self-therapy
B. Using symbolic play as a substitute for schooling
C. Dr. Yumiko Ogawa’s CCPT workshops after the 2011 Japan tsunami
D. Virtual CCPT using video games after the COVID-19 pandemic

Answer: B. Three 30-minute sessions per day for 3 days

Explanation: The UNT model scheduled children for three 30-min sessions per day across 3 days, producing changes similar to weekly therapy.

At the University of North Texas, one unique intensive play therapy model included:

A. One 3-hour session weekly for 2 months
B. Three 30-minute sessions per day for 3 days
C. Group-only play therapy lasting 12 weeks
D. Virtual play therapy using digital simulations

Answer: A. Significant improvement in reading, math, and language usage

Explanation: Perryman et al. (2020) found that academically at-risk children showed improvements in reading, math, and language after 16 CCPT sessions.

Which academic benefits were observed from intensive CCPT research?

A. Significant improvement in reading, math, and language usage
B. Elimination of all learning disabilities
C. Faster memorization of factual material
D. Increased standardized IQ scores by 20 points

Answer: C. Schottelkorb et al., 2020

Explanation: Schottelkorb et al. (2020) found that children with ASD improved significantly after 24 CCPT sessions (4/wk, 30 min).

Which study found significant decreases in ASD core symptoms through CCPT?

A. Ray et al., 2021
B. Burgin & Ray, 2022
C. Schottelkorb et al., 2020
D. Cochran & Cochran, 2017

Answer: B. CPRT parents improved empathy and reduced child behavior problems

Explanation: Smith & Landreth (2003) showed that CPRT-trained parents increased empathy and their children showed reduced emotional/behavioral problems.

What was a key finding of the CPRT study conducted in domestic violence shelters?

A. Only therapists could achieve meaningful results
B. CPRT parents improved empathy and reduced child behavior problems
C. Sibling group play therapy was ineffective
D. Children needed at least 20 CPRT sessions to improve

Answer: B. 4–7 sessions

Explanation: Studies (Post, 1999; Gonzales-Ball & Bratton, 2019) found significant positive changes after just 4–7 play therapy sessions.

In short-term CCPT studies, Head Start students showed improvement after as few as:

A. 1 session
B. 4–7 sessions
C. 20 sessions
D. 40 sessions

Answer: C. It trained 850 parents via Zoom with adapted materials

Explanation: Dr. Chau adapted CPRT into 6 sessions, trained 850 parents online during COVID, showing innovation in delivery.

The 2020 CPRT project in Hong Kong led by Dr. Iris Chau was notable because:

A. It only worked with wealthy parents
B. It was entirely in-person despite COVID restrictions
C. It trained 850 parents via Zoom with adapted materials
D. It abandoned CPRT principles to save time

Answer: C. 1.25 (1.30 for parent-only CPRT)

Explanation: The meta-analysis showed strong effects (ES = 1.25, even higher at 1.30 for parent-only CPRT).

What was the overall effect size (ES) for CPRT studies reported by Bratton, Landreth, & Lin (2010)?

A. 0.50
B. 0.85
C. 1.25 (1.30 for parent-only CPRT)
D. 2.00

Answer: B. Kindergarten children with social/emotional deficits

Explanation: Cheng & Ray (2016) reported significant gains in empathy and social competence in kindergarten children (5–6 yrs) after 15–16 group CCPT sessions.

Which population showed improvement in social competence and empathy after group CCPT?

A. Refugee children exposed to war
B. Kindergarten children with social/emotional deficits
C. Adolescents with conduct disorders
D. Adults with trauma history

Answer: B. Trusting the child’s natural capacity for self-directed growth

Explanation: Both intensive and short-term CCPT rest on trusting the child’s self-healing ability within a safe, non-directive therapeutic relationship.

What is the central principle underlying both intensive and short-term CCPT?

A. Therapist-led interpretation of child trauma
B. Trusting the child’s natural capacity for self-directed growth
C. Condensing therapy to reduce costs
D. Replacing parental roles with professional therapy

Answer: B. Tote bag of play materials in a school storage room, 30-min sessions

Explanation: Webb used portable play materials in a school storage room and conducted 30-min sessions for children referred by teachers, showing CCPT’s adaptability in crisis.

In Webb’s (2001) crisis response after the Oklahoma City bombing, how was CCPT adapted for immediate use?

A. Full-length 1-hour sessions in hospitals
B. Tote bag of play materials in a school storage room, 30-min sessions
C. Online CCPT via video conferencing
D. Group play therapy in large gymnasiums

Answer: B. Three sessions per day resembled the progression of weekly therapy

Explanation: UNT researchers noticed that session 3 in a single day resembled what therapists normally see in the third week of weekly therapy, showing parallel developmental pacing.

In the University of North Texas (UNT) intensive CCPT model, what interesting process was observed?

A. Children regressed when sessions were clustered
B. Three sessions per day resembled the progression of weekly therapy
C. Group sessions were always superior to individual therapy
D. Parents resisted the intensive format

Answer: B. Reduced internalizing behaviors compared to a control group

Explanation: CCPT led to statistically significant reductions in internalizing behaviors. Parents also reported decreased stress, though not at a statistically significant level.

Brandt’s (2001) study on children with behavioral adjustment difficulties found that CCPT:

A. Produced no measurable change
B. Reduced internalizing behaviors compared to a control group
C. Only improved academic performance
D. Significantly increased parenting stress

Answer: C. Positive changes in self-concept and locus of control

Explanation: First-graders improved their self-concept and sense of internal control after 10 CCPT sessions, even though they were struggling academically.

Crow (1990) demonstrated that retained first-grade children who received CCPT showed:

A. Improved IQ scores
B. Decreases in aggression only
C. Positive changes in self-concept and locus of control
D. No measurable improvements in school performance

Answer: C. Demonstrated reduced impulsivity and improved emotion expression

Explanation: Their study confirmed improvements in impulse control, environmental mastery, and emotional expression through CCPT.

Johnson, McLeod, and Fall (1997) found that children with emotional or physical disorders who received CCPT:

A. Showed increased impulsivity
B. Learned to suppress their emotions
C. Demonstrated reduced impulsivity and improved emotion expression
D. Did not benefit due to their disabilities

Answer: C. Prisons, hospitals, Head Start programs, and community agencies

Explanation: CPRT has been used effectively in a wide variety of contexts including prisons, shelters, schools, Native American reservations, and hospitals.

Which of the following is an example of the diverse settings in which CPRT has been successfully implemented?

A. Domestic violence shelters only
B. Exclusive private practice offices
C. Prisons, hospitals, Head Start programs, and community agencies
D. Only with middle-class, English-speaking parents

Answer: B. African American, Latino, Native American, Israeli, Chinese, Korean immigrant parents

Explanation: CPRT has demonstrated cross-cultural effectiveness with a wide range of parent populations worldwide, including multiple ethnic and immigrant groups.

Which diverse populations of parents have shown positive results with CPRT?

A. Only U.S.-based, middle-class parents
B. African American, Latino, Native American, Israeli, Chinese, Korean immigrant parents
C. Parents with advanced degrees only
D. Only immigrant families in Asia

Answer: B. Developmental issues, school problems, or moderate adjustment difficulties

Explanation: Short-term CCPT works best for developmental, academic, and moderate behavioral/emotional concerns, but not for severe, prolonged trauma.

When is short-term CCPT (10–12 sessions or fewer) most appropriate?

A. Severe trauma or prolonged abuse cases
B. Developmental issues, school problems, or moderate adjustment difficulties
C. Children with long-term psychiatric hospitalization
D. Children under age 2 only

Answer: B. For children experiencing acute crises or trauma

Explanation: Intensive CCPT is indicated after crises (e.g., abuse, disasters, death, accidents) to meet urgent emotional needs by reducing time between sessions.

When is intensive CCPT (clustered sessions) most appropriate?

A. When the therapist wants to finish therapy quickly
B. For children experiencing acute crises or trauma
C. For mild developmental delays only
D. When parents resist involvement

Answer: C. Children benefit from flexible scheduling, sometimes even with just 2–3 sessions

Explanation: Research consistently shows children can benefit from condensed schedules, short-term interventions, and even very few sessions, provided the CCPT relationship is strong.

What is the overarching conclusion from both intensive and short-term CCPT research?

A. Long-term therapy is always superior
B. The traditional weekly schedule is the only effective option
C. Children benefit from flexible scheduling, sometimes even with just 2–3 sessions
D. Parents cannot act as effective therapeutic agents